06 Aug 2023

The First National Bank of Botswana (FNBB) has unveiled over P5 million three-year sponsorship for the Kazungula Bridge Marathon.

The bank has been the headline sponsor of the marathon since its inception in 2022 and the new deal launched on Thursday would cover the 2024 to 2026 editions.

Unveiling the sponsorship in Kazungula, FNBB chief executive officer Steven Bogatsu said the marathon injected a revenue boost of 96 per cent in Kasane and Kazungula compared to the previous year when it did not exist.

The growth, he said resonated with their bank as they promoted the formal and informal sectors of economy, adding that the money would go towards the planning, organising and hosting of the marathon.

Bogatsu highlighted that a study conducted by Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) revealed that hospitality and accommodation facilities experienced a 439 per cent increase in turnover during the Kazungula Bridge Marathon.

He said FNBB was committed to promoting sport and placing Botswana on the global map having sponsored the first ever Botswana Golden Grand Prix, BOTESSA and football development teams among others.

He stated that the FNBB Kazungula Bridge Marathon brought people together to celebrate their shared love for sport and keeping fit.

“We envisage a bright future for sport in Botswana as we continue to capture the world, so I encourage all to have a mindset change towards health and wellness,” said Bogatsu
In his remarks, Chobe District Council chairperson, Chimney Mululwani said the marathon was a master of economics spanner for Chobe in all sectors of business.

He said the marathon had brought hope in Chobe and afforded the community opportunities to make means and alleviate poverty in their households.

Mululwani pointed out that the BTO performance and impact survey of the marathon indicated that in average one person participating in the marathon spent P9 438 in accommodation, transport, food leisure, shopping and entertainment during the marathon weekend in Chobe.

Moreover, he said there was an influx into Chobe National Park for game drives and boat cruises, with a total of 1 015 people having accessed the park in two days of the marathon weekend.

Mululwane said sport contributed immensely towards economic growth as seen from the marathon.

He further said as the council they hoped to continue enjoying the benefits accrued from hosting the marathon.

Kgosi Makhanga Makhanga of Kazungula thanked the organisers of the marathon for their commitment to their brand, adding that there was potential for the event to grow even more and touch many lives.

Kazungula Bridge Marathon chief executive officer Obert Morgan said the marathon was a product that had reached the whole world, having attracted 2 922 participants in 2022, 3 595 this year and targeting 5 000 participants in 2024.He highlighted that next year’s price money had increased from P550 000 to P750 000, of which the champions of the 42.2 kilometre would walk away with P75 000, an increase from P50 000.

Moreover, he said every Motswana who crossed the finish line ahead of other Batswana in all categories would pocket P10 000 cash even if they did not win the race in totality.

Furthermore, he said they had availed 63 spots for school going youth in Chobe, adding that the 5km would also carry a price money next year.

Morgan said all registered participants would be added into a raffle and stand a chance to win a Totota Vitz car, courtesy of Halfway Toyota.

He thanked all sponsors for supporting the marathon over the years. ENDS