Gymnastics Federation establish a COVID-19 relief fund to save the sport in South Africa
The South African Gymnastics Federation can lose more than half of their clubs if they do not receive help to survive the COVID-19 crisis.
The South African Gymnastics Federation (SAGF) Executive Committee took the decision to establishment a special Gymnastics COVID-19 Relief Fund, aimed at assisting gymnastics bodies in all nine Provinces and Districts.
The organization appealed to all sport-loving South Africans, the corporate sector and former gymnasts to help keep gymnastics alive in the country.
SAGF is active in all nine provinces, as well as 47 various districts with a total of 350 clubs, 341 schools and over 19 000 registered members.
“From head office to club level, gymnastics entities are facing a grave economic challenge. The overwhelming majority of clubs are small enterprises that survive with limited reserves. It would not be in the interest of our country if any club should have to close its doors. We have quantified the negative impact of COVID-19 on our industry,” said Donny Jurgens, Acting President of the SAGF.
Jurgens emphasized that the harsh reality that, should the club businesses not be able to start some economic activity very soon, then 238 of the federation’s 351 affiliated clubs will have to close its doors completely.
She said besides the economic impact, the social impact would be catastrophic. SAGF provides structured positive activities for thousands of South Africans of all ages.
“We build confidence and self-esteem, we create positive role models and we combat social evils such as substance abuse and violence against vulnerable persons,” Jurgens remarked.
To ensure that the SAGF survives the pandemic financially, as well as continue to serve its members, the Federation has cut all its expenses to the minimum and has launched its appeal to corporate South Africa, the general public and gymnastics alumni, to support their new COVID-19 Relief Fund.
An Independent Committee set up by SAGF will administer the fund and consider applications based on the finances available. Funds will be disbursed as soon as possible.
Over the past month SAGF launched various initiatives to assist clubs to deal with the pandemic and prepare for a ‘new normal’.
The federation also launched the ‘Home Gym Challenge’, a daily online fitness segment on its Facebook page, as well as the ‘Ambassadors Programme’, aimed at keeping South Africans active at home.
For more info, visit the SAGF website at https://www.sagf.co.za/
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
