13 Mar 2022

Botswana Tertiary Students Sports Association (BOTESSA) in collaboration with Botswana First National Bank (FNB) will host Maun marathon in October 29.

The marathon themed: Sports Tourism, will feature under five, 10, 21 and 42km race categories i and registration will open mid-April until August.

Speaking during launch of the marathon logo and organising committee in Chanoga on Thursday, BOTESSA president, Keorapetse Setlhare, said registration was not limited to students, adding that the general public and athletes from the neighbouring countries could also participate.

He said they found the need to open invitation to all athletes throughout Africa since BOTESSA was a member of the Confederation of University and Colleges of Southern Africa (CUCSA) and the International Federation of University Sports (FISU).

“I am confident that the local community will fully support the event as evidenced by the recent Kazungula marathon and I am appealing to members of the public to embrace the event and register in large numbers,” he said.

He said the association was using the marathon to improve the performance of athletes with the hope of eventually producing quality ones who would run long distances.

He further stated that the mega event would not only benefit athletes and the tourism industry, but would also benefit the local economy.

He explained different activities had been scheduled as part of activations and build-up for the main event.

The chairperson of the local organising committee, Chandy Moruti who is also the managing director of Gateway Excursion stated that the committee would work hard towards the success of the event, adding that they wished to turn it into a national event that would be held in the tourism destination of Maun yearly.

Unveiling the marathon logo, BOTESSA administration technical officer, Christopher Gasebonwe, explained that the logo blended well with what was happening in the Maun area.

The logo, he said, had three elements such as water, a striped athlete who symbolised zebras and also carried an orange colour that symbolised sunset.

Botswana Wildlife Training Institute (BWTI) representative, Chief Tsholofelo, thanked BOTESSA for hosting the event in Maun saying the area was a destination of choice.

He was hopeful that the event would indeed boost the tourism industry and benefit other businesses.

He urged the local organising committee to hit the ground running and ensure the event become a success. ENDS