CSI interested in athletics

THE election of Frank Fredericks as Athletics Namibia’s new president seems to have restored some confidence in the beleaguered sport code, with Consolidated Sugar Industries (CSI) announcing to soon start negotiations with Fredericks with a view to sponsoring athletics.

The announcement was made by CSI’s chief executive officer Deon van Dyk at a press conference to announce a sponsorship to Namibian marathon athlete Reinhold Iita. CSI, through its brand Marathon Sugar, has been a long-time sponsor of Iita, Namibia’s leading male marathon runner, who will compete at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin, Germany, in August. Iita and Namibia’s top female marathon athlete Helalia Johannes left for Munich, Germany, on Saturday to attend a three-week training camp in preparation for the World Championships. Fredericks accompanied them as team manager.On Friday, Iita and Fredericks attended a press conference at CSI’s offices in Windhoek where a sponsorship cheque of N$6 150 was handed over to Iita by Van Dyk. At the occasion, Iita expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the financial support and sponsorship he received over the past decade from Consolidated Sugar Industries, through its brand, Marathon Sugar.Van Dyk, announced that CSI would continue to sponsor Iita while he also expressed enthusiasm to extend a sponsorship to Namibian athletics in general. ‘Athletics Namibia has experienced some trying times in the recent past, but the appointment of Frank Fredericks has restored the confidence of potential sponsorships,’ CSI said in a press release issued on Monday. ‘Negotiations regarding CSI’s involvement with Athletics Namibia and the future sponsorship of Namibian athletes will commence on Frederick’s return from Germany. CSI is looking to extend their social and corporate responsibility through supporting the community, especially those individuals whose sacrifices and commitment result in international achievements like Reinholdt Iita,’ the statement added. ‘CSI would like to congratulate Mr Fredericks on his presidency and wish him all the best. It is with warm hearts and great pride that we send off Reinhold Iita to Germany. We wish him the best of luck and bring us back the gold!’ it concluded.- www.namibiasport.com.na