09 Feb 2023

Athletics fanatics within greater Francistown await the Botswana Telecommunications Corporation’s (BTC) marathon slated for April 23.

BTC’s brand manager, Thabo Modise, said during an occasion to premier the marathon in Francistown on February 8 that preparations for the envisaged event were at an advanced stage.

“We will start the activation this weekend to get feedback from the general public,” he said, adding the marathon was open to both professional and non-professional runners. 

The marathon will be in three categorie; 10km, 21km and 42km.

Modise was excited that the marathon would have a trickle-down effect on a number of small micro and medium enterprises (SMME) which were key to the economic growth of any given nation. 

Modise was nonetheless cagey about the money BTC would channel towards the event save to say the corporation would make the pronouncement in due course.

For his part, BTC’s head of business development, Pilot Yane, expressed happiness that the corporation continued to expand its coverage of Francistown and the North East through its mobile and fixed services.

The cooperation, he stated, was working round the clock to widen its coverage and do away with copper wires, which had become a target for thieves. 

“I plead with all stakeholders to join hands with us and report stolen copper wires,” he said.

Francistown deputy mayor, Lesego Kwambala, was equally excited that BTC had chosen the city to host the event and promised the council’s unwavering support.

He said leadership embraced initiatives geared towards improving the socio-economic outlook of its people.

“We want to reclaim our vision of a city of all things precious through synergies with like-minded people like yourselves and I must state it here that were are having the time of our lives with most of the services that you render to us as BTC customers,” he concluded. Francistown Athletics Club chairperson, Gaenamele Baitsemi, said the event would run for three successive years.

“The marathon is poised to unearth a lot of talent and produce high calibre athletes that would represent the country at the international level,” he said urging people in the city of Francistown and surrounding to rally behind the initiative in order to make it a success. Ends