ONE of the country’s leading mobile network provider, Telecel is set to invade the sporting world as they consider bankrolling a 21km half marathon race in Mutare next month.
KENNETH NYANGANI
The race which will be dubbed Telecel Go Half marathon is expected to attract renowned athletes from around the country.
Organiser of the event Hazvirambwe Madzinga, who was also the brains behind the Manicaland Diamond race two years ago confirmed the development to Standardsport last week.
“Telecel has promised to come back to us with a helping hand for this particular race. I hope and trust that they will be our major sponsors of the event. Actually, this is not the first time that Telecel has assisted. In 2012 they also helped us successfully host the Manicaland Diamond race,” Madzinga said.
Madzinga added that they had already engaged Telecel.
“Our potential sponsors are now busy working on the sponsorship package. After unveiling the package, we will then come up with the dates for the race. I hope that everything will go according to plan,” added Madzinga.
Madzinga took the opportunity to urge athletics administrators to revive the sport countrywide, especially in rural areas.
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“Statistics have shown that there has been a marked decline in the sport. We have to take measures to revive the sport. I am urging those occupying highest offices in all the provinces to revive sport. They must make sure clubs are formed as well as assisting them to attract sponsors.
“The sport should return to its good old days. We need more races because some athletes survive through this sport,’’ he added. Meanwhile, Mutare Telecel branch manager Erietta Mapato could not shed more light on the new development saying they are yet to conclude the deal.
“We are yet to meet as an organisation to discuss the deal, let’s talk next week on Tuesday but we might not chip in as big a way as is expected by many,” she said.
