Africa-Press – Botswana. The business community has been implored to support the newly launched Nhabe International Marathon scheduled for September 28 in Maun.
Organised by Maun Track and Field Club in collaboration with Mega Minds Beyond Intelligence Company, the event aims to unearth talent, cultivate and grow sport as well as promote sport tourism in Ngamiland region.
It also seeks to raise funds, part of which will be used toward constructing athletes’ village that will accommodate Maun Track and Field Club who come far places as Seronga, Shakawe, Etsha and other areas in the region.
The event will feature different categories ranging from 42.2km, 21.1km, 10km and 5km, and will target international and local athletes, corporate entities, social clubs, elders, children, people living with disabilities, veterans and members of the community at large.
Speaking during the launch on Thursday, Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) vice president-finance, Raymond Phale, appreciated the initiative the event and appealed to the business community to support its growth.
BAA, he said had given organisers the green light by issuing a license to hold the much anticipated event because the region had contributed significantly in sport development and growth as well as producing some of the country’s top athletes.
Phale said the event had the potential to attract quality international athletes who could motivate locals to improve and compete in international events.
“This is an achievable event, which can bring vibrancy in the tourism hub and also promote sport tourism. Sponsors should come on board and partner with the organisers and reap the benefits as we expect an influx of travellers to come to Maun and participate, and also appreciate the beauty of heritage sites in this region,” he added.
He pledged BAA support to ensure the event achieved its objectives and also encouraged organisers to embark on activations to build momentum.
Event manager, Mmoloki Gaobone said 800 participants were expected and also that the event was registered with Botswana Tourism Organisation and now featured in its calendar of events
“We believe our event will grow bigger and better just like the annual Kazungula Bridge Marathon, which is in its third year and has grown in leaps and bounds as it attracts between 3 000 to 4 000 participants. I believe Ngamiland can also attract a lot of attention more so that people will not be coming here for sport activity only but for tourism purposes as well,” he added.
Meanwhile, Gaobone revealed that they had not secured a main sponsor as yet but awaited a positive response to those they had approached.
Maun Track and Field club chairperson, Ralph Ledimo said the dream to host a marathon started at the club, which was eager to unearth talent in the region, nurture and develop it to produce elite athletes.
He said the club had made some achievements to create opportunities for youth to rise and achieve success and in turn produced top athletes who participated in internationals events such as Bayapo Ndori, Leungo Scotch and Tshepiso Masalela among others.
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