AfricaPress-Tanzania: THE National Bank of Commerce (NBC), in cooperation with Athletics Tanzania (AT), has officially launched a race dubbed ‘NBC Dodoma Marathon’ in Dar es Salaam yesterday.
The race will take place in Dodoma on November 22, attracting runners from different parts of the country.
Apart from promoting athletics, the race, according to the organisers will also back up the fight against cervical cancer in the country.
The launching ceremony brought together various government officials and athletics stakeholders including AT, National Sports Council (NSC) and bank’s senior officials.
NBC Managing Director, Theobald Sabi stated that much as his bank has aimed at investing in the sport via the ‘NBC Dodoma Marathon’, cash that is to be raised at the race will be channeled to the fight against cervical cancer via the Ocean Road Cancer Institute.
The cash, he disclosed, will be accrued from participation fees which will be paid by athletes.
“We have decided to focus on fight against cervical cancer knowing the disease is one of the leading causes for deaths caused by cancer in the country.
The ‘NBC Dodoma Marathon’, therefore, will be a good platform for spreading the knowledge on this disease, which we are told that it can be treated whilst at the early stage,” he disclosed.
The bank has injected 300m/- in sponsoring the race for five years.
“We believe that our investment in athletics will be spent wisely and consequently, bring success to our athletes and the country in future.”
AT president Anthony Mtaka, congratulated NBC for opting to invest in promotion of athletics domestically.
He also disclosed the NBC sponsorship gears towards making the race one of its kind and win international recognition as runners from several countries will be invited.
The marathon’ will have four races, 5km, 10km, 21km and 42km, according to Mtaka.
The marathon’s routes have already been measured by the World Athletics body, AIMS and AT is just waiting for an approval.
The AT official stated the decision to host the race in Dodoma put several reasons into consideration.
He disclosed the reasons include the region’s view which is quite attractive to the runners to feel safe while running.
“We also hold Dodoma as our capital city, the region deserves to host such a major athletics event. It is, in this case, obvious that our decision was right.” Said Mtaka
