SAPSSI seeks 200 for Amazing Gaborone race

NELSON DIRENG
Correspondent | Thursday September 1, 2011 00:00

Speaking at a media conference in Gaborone last week, SAPSSI executive director, Ellan Dickieson said that they were looking for interested participants, be it from companies or individuals, to register for the competition.  She said the registration fee is P200 for a team that would be made up of two people bringing a total number of teams to 100. 

Towards the end of last week there had not been any registered participants SAPSSI revealed.  Dickieson said that interested people should register as soon as possible so as to give organisers ample time to prepare for the event.She revealed that the race would have a total of 12 challenges that would put to test the competitors' mental, physical strength or even test how they can handle down-right gross situations.  She said the challenges were currently up for sale to corporate companies that would then be allowed to customise them however they want.  Dickieson said interested participants should be over 18-years-old.  She said the challenge would start at 9am at the Gaborone West Fitness Centre and end at 3pm at the Wharic Park Grounds. 'Only the top eight teams will be considered for the quarter-finals that will begin at 4.30pm,' she said.  Dickieson said the top eight teams would be trimmed to four for the semi-finals and then to two for the grand finale.  Dickieson said the winning team would be treated to a five-night stay at a luxurious guesthouse in East London, South Africa.  She said the second prize would be awarded to the corporate company that enters the most teams. The company would win a P3,000 Sefalana Hyper Store gift voucher.  'The third prize, which is an additional prize courtesy of Maroon Tours and Safaris, would be given to the team that raises the most money in pledges during the competition,' she said.

Maroon Tours and Safari's boss Tendai Chikangaidze said their prize would include an all-expenses paid trip to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary near Serowe. He said the winners of the prize would also have the chance to visit the Bangwato royal family, the Khama's.  Chikangaidze said they decided to add the prize as a way of encouraging people to take part in the competition.  'We also want people to realise that they can make a living from tourism and culture,' he said. The Amazing Race Around Gaborone has been modelled after television reality shows such as the Amazing Race, Survivor And Fear Factor.  Dickieson, who has taken part in the Canada version of the Amazing race, said from personal experiences she expects a lot of excitement and competitiveness in the race. She said funds raised would be used to 'raise awareness about SAPSSI whose main duties are to provide and enable the provision of psychosocial support, life-skills and knowledge; empowering the children and youth of Botswana to become knowledgeable and responsible citizens living in the context of HIV and AIDS.  'The funds would be used to cover SAPSSI administrative functions,' she said.