31 Oct 2023

Some safari companies in Maun have showed interest to support the annual Botswana Tertiary Student Sports Association (BOTESSA) Run Maun marathon.

The marathon is an initiative aimed at developing and nurturing local talent in athletics.

BOTESSA president, Keorapetse Setlhare confirmed to BOPA that various companies had shown a desire to partner with them but still had to engage further.

Although, he could not disclose the names of interested companies, he appreciated the move saying the aim was to take sport to the business community and promote sport tourism in Maun.

“This is great move and its shows that our event has brought exciting avenues of entertainment to the tourism destination as it attracts scores of participants both locally and internationally to embrace it and enjoy the tourism hub.

It is our aim to make it bigger and better every year so that it brings more benefits to the business community,” said Setlhare.

Meanwhile, he hailed the marathon held over the weekend as a success as it attracted a lot of attention compared to last year.

The event, he said had grown in leaps and bounds in terms of numbers citing that this year’s had 10 Kenyan athletics as opposed to four last year and also that corporate companies also graced the event.

He thanked Botswana Athletics Association for its continued support citing that clubs affiliating to the association took part in the marathon.

Setlhare was also impressed that some locals this time outclassed their international counterparts such as the likes of Kabo Jenamo of Francistown Athletics Club, who finished ahead of the Kenyans,

Lazarus Too and Andrew Kiprop and crowned the 42km champion and pocked P12 000 price money.

In the 21km race, Ithuteng Mayoro of Orapa Athletics Club scooped position one and walked away with P6 000 while Kgosi Tsietso of Chobe Magic came third after the Kenyan athlete, Carl Grulke respectively.

In 21km ladies category, the Kenyans, had no competition as Sheila Saina and Jerop Abigael and Jeruto Joan took position one, two and three respectively.

North West district commissioner, Thabang Waloka thanked BOTESSA for the event saying it contributed toward positioning the area as tourism destination of choice.

The event, he said attracted multitudes for leisure and appreciate a variety of tourism related activities in the area.

The marathon, he said did not only benefit professional athletics but some members of the community took part to improve their lives through health and fitness.

Exercising, he said was also essential and effective in helping one to activate their immune system and urged the public to continue taking part every year to benefit more.

Waloka urged locals especially youth to come on board and take advantage of the event which he said aimed to unearth talent and develop it. ENDS