Grootbos Foundation launches new Athletics project

10 January 2012

The Grootbos Foundation launched a new athletics project on the 9^th of January at the Gansbaai Communal Sports Centre: UMNTANA PHAMBILI. The project is aimed at giving children from marginalized communities the opportunity to participate in organized athletics training programmes, to learn about the environment, and to get access to training opportunities in tourism and guiding.

The new project was made possible by Airtours and Grootbos, with the support of the German Federal Government.

The project was officially opened by the Deputy Minister of Sport and Recreation South Africa, Mr. Gert C. Oosthuizen, Overstrand Mayor Nicolette Botha-Guthrie, German Ambassador Horst Freitag, Mrs Ulla Schmidt MP (Germany), Mrs Dagmar Freitag MP (Germany) and German General Consul Hans-Werner Bussmann. Also present were sporting celebrities Olympic athlete and silver medallist Elana Meyer and former Springbok player Ashwin Willemse.

Deputy Minister Gert Oosthuizen, Sport and Recreation South Africa said: “Today, I wished that we can have in every community, a multi-purpose facility in sport, just like the one in Gansbaai; with programmes like the one of Grootbos Foundation that I officially opened today.”

Overstrand Mayor, Nicolette Botha-Guthrie, said: “I am a great supporter of the sport, or the art of Athletics. The future of our country will be determined with what we put into the development of our children. Today’s launch is to create an opportunity for our young people to get involved in athletics, to meet at club level and develop into great athletes.”

Francois Myburgh, Area Manager for the Overstrand Municipality said: “I am so proud to be part of and to witness another valuable contribution in investing in the future of our wonderful town and country. I am pretty sure that we will soon experience the positive results and dividends on the investment made here today.”

Geoff Rothschild, Director: Government & International Affairs for the JSE, and Football Foundation Vice Chairman, said: “What a privilege to be invited and be present at the launch of athletics here in Gansbaai. The fact that the German Federal Government have bought into the project is fantastic. It is a great tribute to the daily input of Project Manager Leán Terblanche, and Grootbos Foundation Director Michael Lutzeyer. Athletics will give a new dimension to the Foundation’s existing sport for development programmes.”

Springbok Ashwin Willemse said: “You can only be as good as the opportunities that come your way. This project offers children the opportunity to excel in life.”

German Ambassador Horst Freitag encouraged everyone to look into the future: “This project may seem like a small step today – but it is a huge step in building a strong and vibrant community.”

MP Ulla Schmidt, Former German Minister of Health, said: “I am deeply surprised by what you are doing here. It’s a great project to build up a future for the children, to get them educated, to spread hope and support democracy.”

German Consul General in Cape Town, Hans-Werner Bussmann, said: “Grootbos Foundation and the Football Foundation deserve to be commended for the extraordinary work they do to encourage young people to take responsibility of their own lives by giving them the chance to experience success.”