beMOBILE strikes new P1.5m marathon deal

Chakalisa Dube | Tuesday November 10, 2015 15:02

 

Although both the sponsor and the organisers of the marathon were reluctant to discuss the sponsorship details, reports are that a new P1.5m deal has been agreed.

“beMOBILE will fork out P500,000 per year over the next three years beginning next year. Talks were completed recently. What is left is for parties involved to sign the contract,” said a source.

Information gathered is that the marathon, which started this year, would be staged on May 8, 2016 pending the approval by the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA).

Yesterday the chief organiser of the marathon, Ben Tobedza refused to discuss the reported sponsorship deal.

He, however, said talks with beMOBILE were at an advanced stage.

“We have, however, agreed with beMOBILE that nothing will be shared with the media before the sponsorship deal is made official,” Tobedza said.

The Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited (BTCL) spokesperson, Golekanye Molapisi said: “BTCL Foundation is still to finalise on the agreement to sponsor the beMOBILE Francistown Marathon for the coming three years”.   BTCL is beMOBILE’s parent company.  Under the sponsorship deal, beMOBILE will assume the naming rights of the marathon.

“Once the agreement is in place, the details will be shared with the public.  I can, however, confirm to you that the marathon will definitely take place in Francistown next year,” Molapisi said.

beMOBILE sponsored the maiden Francistown marathon in February this year to the tune of P500,000. The marathon attracted nearly 1,500 runners from Botswana and abroad.

The 2016 marathon is expected to be launched later this month according to Tobedza.  Proceeds for the marathon go to charity. This year’s event raised P200,000.