BOPEU hosts 15km fund-raising race

MOGOMOTSI BUZWANI
Correspondent | Friday September 9, 2011 00:00

The branch's chairperson, Kethapeleng Karabo said the marathon is in line with the union's five-year plan of contributing to nation building.

He said they chose a marathon as it can unite and build a nation. Karabo said the main aim of the  race is to raise funds for Kgakololo Day Care centre identified last year. The aim is to give the centre P25,000 worth of Information Technology equipment. 'We aim to raise P25,000 that we will use to buy IT equipment  for the centre. We identified the centre last year as one that has challenges with equipment', he said.Karabo said BOTUSAFE forked out P21,000 to sponsor the marathon.

While fund raising is their main aim, Karabo said they want to promote sport in Botswana. Besides the 15km race, there will be a 10km event. The 15km race is for men only.

Karabo said the winner of the 15km race will pocket P1,200, while the runner-up would receive P1,000 and third place prize is P800. In the women's section, the winner will walk away with P1,000, with the athlete finishing second getting P800, while number three will get P600.

In the junior men's category, which is for athletes between 10 and 17 years, the winner will get P950 while second and third will get P800 and P750 respectively.

Karabo said the Manual Workers Union, BOSETU, BTU and BOPEU will participate, with each fielding a minimum of 10 athletes. He said the union with more points at the end of the competition will walk away with the floating trophy.

According to Karabo, they will give t-shirts as consolation prizes. BOPEU vice-chairperson Masego Mogweri and union president Andrew Motsamai will deliver the keynote addresses.

The race will finish at Ebat Lodge in Tati Siding, which has offered discounted accommodation for athletes and guests.