Namibia: Fredericks’ Foundation Assists Athletes

David Adetona

1 April 2011

Six promising athletes will benefit from the Frank Fredericks Foundation’s scholarship programme. The scholarships is aimed at providing financial support to the athletes’ training and education.

Merilyn Diamond, the junior 100m and 200m athlete was given a scholarship valued at N$10,000 for the sixth time, while Corlia Kruger, the junior women 100m hurdles and high jump athlete, received N$5 000 for the second time.

An amount of N$5000 each was given to Leandri van der Welt (junior women 400m), Pierre Cronje, (junior men 400m), Fred-Charles Pieterse, (junior men 110m hurdles) and Alberto Mouton (junior men long jump).

Speaking at the ceremony, a trustee of the foundation, Anibal Rego, said the foundation is committed to improving the lives of promising young athletes by identifying, promoting and developing their sporting talents.

“We have seen that by investing in the sporting talents of these athletes they achieved fantastic results at local and international competitions,” Rego said.

He emphasized that supporting the athletes’ education and training will ultimately allow them to focus on their performance.

The scholarships are awarded to aspiring athletes that are in good standing with their respective federation and are enrolled at an educational institution.

“For two athletes, it will not be the first time that they have received this scholarship. For the remaining four athletes, it will be the very first time. This is a clear illustration of the foundation’s aims to provide more athletes with an opportunity to better their lives and achieve great accomplishments similar to that of the founding member and hero – Frank Fredericks,” Rego said.

He added that the foundation has seen potential in the athletes and would like to encourage them to continue to work hard and achieve the best results at school and on the track.

Rego told the athletes that just like Frank, they can achieve anything if they remain focused and work hard on their goals.

The foundation not only provides financial support to athletes, it is also committed to guiding, advicing and mentoring them, so that they can achieve their goals.

Rego thanked all sponsors, particularly Namibia Beverages, who contributed N$25000 to this year’s scholarships.

Since the inception of the foundation in 1999, a total of 110 scholarships to the value of N$362,100 have been given to athletes. The 110m men’s hurdles sprinter, Fred-Charles Pieterse, accepted the sponsorship on behalf of the group.

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