Stanbic Bank rewards local athletes

Kabelo Boranabi | Tuesday March 31, 2015 14:01

Godiraone Nthompe and Mema Tiango, the best performing local athletes in the men and women’s categories, were each presented with P5,000.

Speaking during the event Stanbic Bank client relations manager, Omphemetse Dube said the bank takes special interest in local sports development and in nurturing talent in Botswana.

She said the bank wants to ensure local athletes’ talent is truly mined and grown to its full potential.

“We hope this gesture goes some way towards helping us achieve the goal of greater access to the development of local sporting talent,” said Dube. Odirile Pilane from Stanbic Bank’s global markets sales coverage said the initiative was meant to encourage other athletes.

The initiative follows the renewal of a  three-year contract, which gives the bank naming rights to the 21 km event.

The contract is such that top local athletes in the 21km race are rewarded for their efforts. In the men’s race, Nthompe came second to Zimbabwean Tendai Zimuto with a time of 1:08:43. while in the women’s race Tiango clocked a time of 1:22:14. Both athletes walked away with P5000.

Tiango thanked the bank for the prize money and recognition, as it would help her enhance her skills. “ I will use the money to buy some sporting apparel and as a citizen, I feel very happy for the extra and special attention I am receiving from the bank and the public.

I intend to keep performing to my level best,” she said. For his part, Nthompe said he feels motivated and intends to train harder for upcoming events.

Stanbic Bank had the most participants in this year’s marathon, with 200 staff members participating out of a total of 6000 participants. 

The bank is also involved in other sporting activities including golf, swimming and cycling.