The South African Gymnastics Federation (SAGF) executive committee took the decision to establishment a special Gymnastics Covid-19 Relief Fund.
This will aim to assist gymnastics bodies in all nine provinces and districts and is now appealing 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, which some of them is situated in the South and Alberton, 341 schools and over 19 000 registered members.
“From head office to club level, gymnastics entities are facing a grave economic challenge,” said Donny Jurgens, acting president of the SAGF.
“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.
“The harsh reality is that should the club businesses not be able to start some economic activity very soon then 238 of our 351 clubs will have to close its doors completely,” said Jurgens.
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,” said Jurgens.
“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 our 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’.
“I want to thank the SAGF staff for initiatives such as ‘Club Connect’ and ‘Business Accelerator’. “Through Club Connect, many clubs are talking to each other, sharing their challenges and solutions to the benefit of all. Similarly, Business Accelerator is a free resource to our clubs to help structure and shape their businesses better,” said Jurgens.
SAGF 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.
Please contact the SAGF for any support.
