The Frank Fredericks Foundation announced several scholarships totalling N$36 000 for top Namibian junior athletes at a press conference on Tuesday. A total of six athletes were beneficiaries of the scholarships, sponsored by Namibia Beverages, following their performances at the Coca Cola Frank Fredericks Invitational in April 2009.
Four athletes, namely Hardus Maritz, Merilyn Diamond, Dantago Gurirab and Klaudia Moses received N$6 000, after excelling in two events each, while Otilie Shiyakela and Jolene Jacobs each received N$3 000 for excelling in one event.
Hardus Maritz obtained 1 043 IAAF points for his time of 14,13 seconds in the boys’ 110m hurdles, while he obtained 938 points for his time of 10,8 seconds in the 100m sprint.
Merilyn Diamond obtained 986 IAAF points for her time of 25,25 seconds in the girls’ 200m, while she obtained 968 IAAF points for her time of 12,36 seconds in the girls’ 100m.
Dantago Gurirab obtained 978 IAAF points for his time of 21,72 seconds in the boys’ 200m, while he obtained 941 FINA points for his time of 10,79 seconds in the 100m.
Klaudia Moses obtained 927 IAAF points for her time of 4:37:00 in the girls’ 1 500m, while she obtained 922 IAAF points for her time of 9:57:00 in the girls’ 3 000m.
Otilie Shiyakela obtained 971 IAAF points for her time of 57,08 in the girls’ 400m, while Jolene Jacobs received 940 IAAF points for her time of 25,9 seconds in the girls’ 200m.
Two more athletes, Markus Alerilwe and Corlia Kruger each received a scholarship of N$3 000, sponsored by Samsung.
Alerilwe obtained 889 IAAF points for his distance of 6,87m in the boys’ long jump, while Kruger obtained 804 IAAF points for her distance of 5,14m in the girls’ long jump.
The Foundation also donated sport equipment to four schools in rural areas of Namibia, amounting to N$19 575. The beneficiaries are Huigub Primary School in Tsumeb, Ombombo Combined School in Opuwo, Otjondeka Primary School in Opuwo and Omuhaturua Primary School in Gobabis.
The wife of Frank Fredericks, Jessica Fredericks, who addressed the media, said they had also planned several events to raise funds for the foundation.
These included a fundraising party under the theme of Rio 2016 Olympics on Saturday, November 14, and a gala dinner on Wednesday, November 18.
“In 2010 the Frank Fredericks Foundation will celebrate its tenth anniversary and we are considering holding a gala or a golf day to coincide with that,” she added.