25 Sep 2022

The 2023 First National Bank Botswana (FNBB) Kazungula Bridge Marathon has registered growth in both sponsorship and sponsors.

Speaking at the launch of sponsors and partners on Friday, FNBB chief executive officer (CEO), Steven Bogatsu said the bank had increased its sponsorship to P1.5 million from P1 million in the inaugural marathon which was held in February this year.

He said support for sports development was a priority at FNBB and the bank welcomed opportunities to help advance the sport fraternity in the country through partnerships such as that of the Kazungula Marathon.

Bogatsu said the marathon promoted tourism in Botswana and stimulated the economy in Kasane and  its surrounding areas that were affected by COVID-19.

“Our shared philosophy ensures that the banks economy and community contribution provides connective value and up-liftment to all stakeholders,” said Bogatsu.

He said the bank was proud of the reception of the first marathon that gathered runners from all over Southern Africa and strengthened tourism relations with Zambia as the marathon created a cross-border experience with runners enjoying the scenic routes within Kasane and Zambia.

He said due to a good organisation of the previous marathon, his colleagues from FNB in Namibia, South Africa and Zambia had indicated intention to participate in the 2023 marathon.

For his part the area MP, Machana Shamukuni said the marathon was an economic master stone that helped the economic recovery and transformation plan through the utilisation of the Kazungula Bridge.

He said the marathon was in line with government’s dream of ensuring a private sector led economy as it facilitated an enabling environment.

He commended the marathon organisers for a well packaged sport tourism that was like nowhere in the world.

Shamukuni said the marathon was a rarity as it was conducted at a place where Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe meet.

He urged athletes to register to participate in the marathon scheduled for February 25 next year in large numbers because following the COVID-19 pandemic the country needed activities such as the marathon to resuscitate the economy.

Furthermore, Shamukuni encouraged Chobe community to ready themselves to seize business opportunities that would be availed by the marathon.

The marathon CEO, Obert Morgan said the race would be accredited to the World Athletics and Botswana Athletic Association (BAA) brought in technical officials of the international governing body to accredit the route. He said as part of ensuring the marathon incorporated everyone next year the prize money for People With Disability(PWD) category would be P50 000.

Morgan said the orgainisers engaged BAA and Special Olympics to ensure PWD were part of the marathon and he appealed to all corporates to sponsor them in terms of accommodation and everything that they needed for the marathon.

He said in addition to FNBB other sponsors were Half Way Toyota, Spar, Kwa Nokeng, Blue Crystal, Coca Cola, Chobe Safari Lodge, Botswana Television, Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) and Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB).

Kgosi Thuso Wasetso of Kasane thanked the organisers for choosing Chobe for marathon saying the activity was not only important to the runners but to all the people in the district.

He was hopeful that the organisers learnt from the inaugural marathon and would therefore deliver a bigger and better activity.  Ends