Fredericks foundation to develop Outjo sports facility

The northwestern town of Outjo is set to receive a new sports and playground facility courtesy of the Frank Fredericks Foundation, which has revealed plans for the project.

While no exact construction date has been confirmed, land has already been made available after Outjo mayor Bartholomeus !Aebeb and the foundation met in May. The foundation said construction will commence “as soon as possible”.

“The facility will feature a five-a-side football pitch, netball court and a variety of playground equipment, including swings, slides, a merry-go-round and a seesaw,” said the foundation.

“The project is designed not only to provide a safe recreational space for children but also to encourage an active lifestyle and participation in sports for the community,” it said.

Through the project, Fredericks hopes to give back to a community that has shown him meaningful recognition, while creating a lasting legacy for future generations.

Olympian

Fredericks is a former Namibian track-and-field sprinter who specialised in the 100 and 200 metres.

He won four Olympic silver medals, finishing second in both events at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain, and the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, United States.

He also won the 200m world title in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1993, and the 200m world indoor title in Maebashi, Japan, in 1999.

Fredericks completed the 100m and 200m double at the 1991 All-Africa Games in Cairo, Egypt, and also won Commonwealth Games 200m gold medals in Victoria, Canada, in 1994, and Manchester, England, in 2002.