At 8:30am Nepali time, the A-Leagues published a news report titled “Wellington Phoenix right behind Samba’s ACL fundraising recovery mission” on their website.

“League insurance would have covered Samba’s knee surgery in New Zealand, but not the estimated $80,000 cost of the operation and seven to eight months of rehab at Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital in Qatar,” the A-Leagues said.

The combined football league of Australia and New Zealand also praised Wellington Phoenix’s backing of Samba’s fundraising appeal.

“The entire insurance payout the club receives will go towards Samba’s operation, but there was a big shortfall,” the A-Leagues said. “…a shortfall that was, incredibly, made up in the 24 hours up to February 24, thanks to the generosity of her huge fanbase, in particular the Nepalese community.”

Meanwhile, neither the A-League nor Wellington Phoenix have publicly announced the insurance amount Samba will receive.

However, the club informed the Post in response to an email query.

When the Post reached out to the club to inquire about the insurance amount, Brenton Vannisselroy, Wellington Phoenix’s Head of Media, responded. “The Wellington Phoenix wholeheartedly support Samba’s decision to go to Aspetar for her surgery and rehab. It’s her body and ultimately her decision,” he said. “The league insurance covers up to AUD 20,000 ($14,182) for surgical costs and rehabilitation.”