Montsho chosen as Summer Kids Marathon ambassador
Staff Writer | Wednesday February 9, 2022 12:56
The inaugural annual marathon will see children from ages of three to 15 run for a philanthropic cause, with A target of at least 500 brand new school shoes from the proceeds.
The marathon is slated for April 23, 2022, in Gaborone.
Montsho, who announced her retirement last year after Tokyo 2020 Olympics said: "I value children greatly. They inspire me with their free-spirited minds, and anything I can do to help them define their future is a yes from me. I am honoured to be the Summer Kids Marathon Ambassador and chief runner. I, therefore, ask parents and guardians to join hands and register their children and let's have fun together!"
For their part, the organisers of the event, Martin Fani and Moagi Madisa acknowledged that their extensive travel around the country sparked the idea particularly in RADS hostels where pupils are less privileged. They further added that the remnants of the COVID-19 pandemic have left many kids with stress having been inactive for two years.
"With COVID-19 pandemic being a stumbling block for the last two years, the kids have been inactive in sport, so through this marathon, we are backing for the fitness par philanthropy of our kids. As it may, we are teaching them at a younger age to be compassionate and grow the spirit of giving. We are also setting up different influential individuals to pep talk to them about life skills. The marathon is also targeting to donate at least 500 school shoes to primary school pupils across the country as our corporate social responsibility. Thus we plead with corporates to come on board and realise the future of the next generation," said Madisa.
Furthermore, the agency also partnered with Blue Skies PR Agency to facilitate sponsorships as a CSR initiative to help nurture the future of sport, particularly in athletics.
"For a project like this one, we need a collective effort and therefore we need more hands to work towards a common practice and also in line with the country's vision 2036 strategic intent of prosperity for all," said Fani.
Meanwhile, registration is underway at the Grip Runner store in Sebele Centre in Gaborone.