Rössing Athletics Club Challenge
(14 March 2011)

Rio Tinto's Rössing uranium mine is pleased to announce a sponsorship of N$100 000 for the second leg of the Club Challenge of Athletics Namibia to be hosted in Swakopmund on 19 March.

Jerome Mutumba, Manager External Affairs at the mine, handed the sponsorship over to Athletics Namibia President, Frank Fredericks, at a cheque handover ceremony in Windhoek on 11 March. Mutumba related that "over the years Rössing has shown an unwavering support for sporting events in Namibia, as well as for the development of talented and dedicated sportsmen- and women across the country by sponsoring a number of events of high standard." He added that "by continued support of events such as the Athletics Namibia Club Challenge, we believe that we are contributing to the health and general wellbeing of many young aspiring athletes."

Upon receiving the donation, Frank Fredericks thanked Rössing for supporting the development of Athletics in Namibia, adding that "had it not been for the financial support given by Rössing, there would not be a Frank Fredericks." As Rössing employee, Fredericks studied abroad as his athletics career took off. He emphasized that sponsorships by the business community is vital in ensuring that more athletes have an opportunity to shine.

During the handover, Fredericks also announced Athletics Namibia's decision to name the second leg of the club championship in Swakopmund the "Rössing Athletics Club Challenge".

The Rössing Athletics Club Challenge will take place at the Swakopmund Athletics Stadium on Saturday, 19 March 2011. With approximately 120 athletes from across the country having registered for this event, the race is on to find Namibia's next potential Olympic medallist.

The Athletics Namibia Club Challenge was reintroduced in 2010 with the first event taking place in Oshakati. This year there are three legs. The first leg was again hosted in Oshakati, the second leg will be in Swakopmund this Saturday and the third leg will take place in Windhoek later this year.

All athletics clubs in Namibia were invited to each send 10 male and 10 female athletes to these meets. Club teams from Oshana, Ohangwena, Omusati, Kavango, Khomas, Otjozondjupa, Erongo and from the South are expected to enter.

Spectators will be treated to a host of events ranging from sprints, long distance runningand field events by both male and female competitors.

 

Rössing wishes all competitors the best of luck and encourage all sport lovers to show their support by attending the event.

 

For enquiries please contact:
Superintendent: Corporate Communication
Alwyn Lubbe, Tel: 064 - 520 2436
Fax: 064 - 1506
Mobile: 081 122 5201