The third edition of the highly anticipated Summer Kids Marathon has received a much-needed boost ahead of its showcase later this month as Absa Botswana was confirmed as the title sponsor with a whooping P300 000 transaction, subsequently earning the naming rights to become Absa Summer Kids Marathon.
The marathon is billed for the 20 April 2024 at the Three Dikgosi Monument in Gaborone CBD.The sponsorship was announced by the Absa Bank Botswana Retail Director Valeta Mthimkhulu at Avani Gaborone Resort & Casino on March 28, 2024.
Mthimkhulu said the sponsorship aligns with the bank’s offering of a childrens account dubbed Future U Account thus the mutual understanding with the marathon organisers to partner their two brands.
“We are proud to be the title sponsors of the 2024 Summer Kids Marathon. This partnership affirms our commitment to the well-being and future success of our youth. We understand that investing in our children today is an investment in the future of our nation. It is about empowering them to reach their full potential and to become the leaders and change-makers of tomorrow.
Furthermore, this sponsorship will anchor our Future U proposition. Future U Savings Account, is an offering designed for the young saver from birth to 18 years. This account allows parents to save for their children’s future. With as little as P50, this is a great offering that most parents can set aside regularly.
In our quest to promote a culture of saving from a young age, this account does not attract any maintenance fee. This means that their savings will grow while they grow as well.”
In a jubilant mood, the co-director of Fan’Mo Sports Agency, the flag bearers of the marathon and also the coordinator, Martin Fani said this year’s edition will also prioritise making a difference through the execution of a social corporate investment projects, by donating school books and shoes to needy children in remote areas around Botswana and community-building clean-up campaigns’’.
Meanwhile the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture’s Principal Programs Officer(Sport & Recreation) Tebogo Ntesang highlighted the importance of grassroots, applauding the marathon organisers for a sought-after concept to include kids in a health and fitness ideology.She said the kiddie’s marathon is an important and crucial platform for kids to learn the importance of physical activity and its importance. Its also a good way for the country to spot, cultivate, and nurture talent at an early age as Botswana is an athletics country.”
At the time of going to press, the registration was at 80% sold out with anticipation that on Friday, the organisers would have reached their target of 1000 kids. All the four categories including children with special need are P240 with a goodie bag.
