Athletics Namibia is broke

ATHLETICS Namibia is broke and has no bank account, its new president Frank Fredericks admitted yesterday.

Fredericks said the federation used to have an account with First National Bank of Namibia, but the former executive committee closed it in April this year.Fredericks said that he is currently running the body from his own pocket, while he also gets assistance from several other sources.’We cannot tell the athletes that we don’t have money. But to be honest, we don’t have a basis as there are no files or documentation that can at least guide us. We somehow have to start from scratch. The former executives have not handed over any files yet and it is difficult for us to proceed and draw up new plans. But at the same time, I cannot sit back and wait for outstanding files and financial reports and so on, I have to look to the future and work towards the interest of the athletes,’ he said.Fredericks spoke at his first official media conference since he was elected to the presidency on June 20 in Otjiwarongo.He said the Athletics Council which held its meeting on June 18 decided that they open a new bank account and start from scratch, while it has also tasked some of its members to go out and look for the files from the former executive.The former administration led by Alpha Kangueehi left no legacy in terms of development at the grass roots level, a good financial standing and visible infrastructure.Fredericks said they only managed to hand-over a handful of equipment, which included an electronic time device that is still being paid off with funding received from the IAAF, the athletics governing body.Furthermore, the council also decided that it needs to be present not in just the eight regions, but in all 13 regions.The regions which are not represented are Ohangwena, Omusati, Kunene, Omaheke and Karas.Fredericks also said that clubs are welcome to affiliate directly to AN in case there are no regional structures there. ‘Next year, no athlete who is not registered will be allowed to compete,’ he warned.NO ASSETS’At the moment we don’t have much to talk about in terms assets. I as the president, need to provide surety to the banks when doing business on behalf of Athletics Namibia. We have to open a bank account as the start because we need to be accountable to whoever will help us financially,’ he said.Fredericks has managed to provide a functioning office for the body at 50 Pasteur Street in Windhoek West, since he took over.Fredericks said the state of the sport is such that he does not even know how many clubs are in existence in the various regions. He said he does not even have information regarding the number of athletes who are actively competing in the sport on both the school and elite levels.’But now, I seriously don’t want to play a blame game or accuse the former executive for the past wrongdoings which we do not have any power over now. I have decided that we pick up the pieces and move on. Our biggest aim is to work in the interest of the athletes. We need to protect them and ensure that they get on that track as often as possible,’ he said.He said he also took an executive decision to allow the respective coaches of the athletes to accompany the athletes whenever they compete internationally.’Why cant we take the coach who is involved with the athlete on the daily basis. There is no point in taking someone else who is just going for a joyride or a fun trip and forget to wake the athletes in time for their race. I am going to demand that coaches responsible for training their athletes should go with them as these international competitions serve as eye openers and they too can learn a lot just by being exposed to them,’ he said.SPONSORSHIPSFredericks also revealed that the body will put in place a sponsorship campaign in which they will seek funding for each of their activities.He said they will need title sponsors in areas such as national athletics championships, cross country, marathons and other competitions and several others who can take care of the minor needs at such events.’If we can find one big sponsor for athletics it will even be better that we just have to deal with that one. But we also do entertain the idea of title sponsors for each of our activities,’ he said.Athletics Namibia lost its biggest sponsor Bank Windhoek, after it terminated its N$2 million sponsorship on May 8 2006.The main reason was the constant infighting among the executive members which negatively affected the performance of the athletes.The International Association of International Federations (IAAF) is currently giving an annual grant of N$1,3 million, but that has since dwindled to a mere N$70 000 due to the unsatisfactory standing of AN to the world body. Fredericks has four vice presidents including Alna Similo, who was elected as the senior vice president on July 18.The other three are Linus Domingo, Modestus Mwilla and Job Handura, while Frank Slabbert is the secretary general. Justus Hausiku is the chairperson for finance, while Adios Aochamub is the athletes representative. corry@namibian.com.na