Gymnasts benefit from Frank

THE Frank Fredericks Foundation (FFF) yesterday sponsored two gymnasts and their coach to the Gymnastics World Championships, which start in Stuttgart, Germany, on September 1.

The gymnasts, Ramona Beukes and Kimberly-Ann van Zyl, will be accompanied by their Romanian-born coach Juliana Simonfi to the championships which will end on September 9. The FFF will mainly cover their air faire, which amounts to N$20 000.FFF Board of trustees member Bonny Paulino said it was the first time that the foundation, which mainly caters for the needs of track-and-field athletes, has assisted a different code.”It is the first time that we are assisting gymnastics, but it will not be the last time that we are looking at a different code than athletics,” he said.He said the FFF normally allocates scholarships to talented athletes and also pays their school fees and provides gear for the ones who need assistance.”The FFF will later in September announce their annual scholarships to athletes,” said Paulino.The local biggest donor to the foundation is Namibia Beverages through its Coca-Cola brand, while there are also several international donors.The FFF will mainly cover their air faire, which amounts to N$20 000.FFF Board of trustees member Bonny Paulino said it was the first time that the foundation, which mainly caters for the needs of track-and-field athletes, has assisted a different code.”It is the first time that we are assisting gymnastics, but it will not be the last time that we are looking at a different code than athletics,” he said.He said the FFF normally allocates scholarships to talented athletes and also pays their school fees and provides gear for the ones who need assistance.”The FFF will later in September announce their annual scholarships to athletes,” said Paulino.The local biggest donor to the foundation is Namibia Beverages through its Coca-Cola brand, while there are also several international donors.