08 Nov 2022

Botswana’s biggest northern sports tourism event dubbed Gubungano Marathon is set for Francistown on July 15 next year.

The inaugural top notch 42.2 km race is the brainchild of Francistown-based businessman and football legend, Carlos Sebina and is powered by CS Challenge Team, who mooted the idea five years ago. 

Speaking at the unveiling of Gubungano, a Kalanga word meaning gathering on Monday, Sebina said the marathon was expected to attract runnersof all ages from Botswana and across the border.

He said the marathon was meant to resuscitate the economy of Francistown, which has been heavily dependent on mines that had since closed.

Sebina said preparations for the event, which they plan to hold annually, were moving at a smooth gear as registration for the marathon started on Monday and ends on March 7 next year.

He said the main aim of the event was to revive the economy of Francistown through sport tourism, which was a crowed puller.

Sebina explained that his team had in the past came up with various initiatives such as born fires, but the response was not impressive due to low turn up.

He said the other objective was to create employment for the Francistowners, including the small man on the streets while some of the activities would be outsourced to individuals and companies.  

He also informed the media that the team had already received partnerships with various stakeholders that included DUMA FM, which had already availed P85 000 for airtime.

Sebina said his team finally settled for something to do with sports, hence Gubungano marathon, adding that the City of Francistown had the potential to become a hub for sports and entertainment. 

He disclosed that the initiative had received a thumbs-up from the mother body - Botswana Athletics Association (BAA).

For his part, deputy mayor of Francistown, Lesego Kwambala encouraged various stakeholders from Francistown to embrace the initiative so that it becomes a success. 

He said Francistown was better placed when it came to sports and entertainment, but residents of the second city failed to take advantage of these to better their lives. However, Kwambala promised that the City of Francistown was in full support of the idea and would lure other nearby district to support it.

He explained that this initiative was one of the many that were aimed at branding the City of Francistown.

BAA general manager, Pinkie Wilson said the project was a welcome development, especially that athletics was still suspended in schools. 

However, she advised that the organising team should take on board the tourism sector when preparing for the marathon.   

Francistown district commissioner, Chabongwa Matseka appealed to different stakeholders to rally behind the initiative in order to make it a success. 

Matseka said the office of the DC valued the initiative and would give it the necessary support, saying the role of the leadership was to facilitate and support the event.

She said the initiative would not only benefit Sebina and his team, but would go a long way in embracing one of the Vision 2036 goals of Human and Social Development, which talks about inclusiveness.

The 42.2km race will be divided into four categories of the 42.2km (full marathon) 21.1km (half marathon) 10km race and 5km fun race.

The marathon will also cater for the veterans.

The proposed routes for the marathon to be finalised, were carefully chosen to pass throgh historical sites, monuments and landmarks for the runners to appreciate what Francistown had in terms of tourism. ENDS