16 Feb 2015

The Vice President, Mokgweetsi Masisi has commended be Mobile for sponsoring the first ever Francistown Marathon.

Speaking at the prize giving ceremony of the marathon in Francistown over the weekend,  Masisi said through sponsoring the marathon, the company did not only contribute to bring life to Francistown, but also contributed to the economy of the city.

He said he was optimistic that the marathon would grow further next year and he assured the residents of his support.

The Vice President, who is also Moshupa-Manyana MP and the Minister of Education and Skills Development, urged Batswana to buy shares in the Botswana Telecommunication Corporation Limited (BTCL), which is a be Mobile mother body.

BTCL‘s chief executive officer, Paul Taylor said through the sponsorship, be Mobile was trying to help bring vibrancy to the city of Francistown. He said the marathon attracted 1 500 runners both locally and those from South Africa, Kenya, and Zimbabwe.

Taylor said BTCL would continue to contribute to the development of the country and he urged Batswana to choose be Mobile as their mobile network provider in order for the corporation to achieve its commitment of developing the country.

The mayor, Sylvia Muzila, said by bringing runners from all over the country and neighbouring countries, the marathon contributed to the growth of the businesses in the city. She said she was hopeful that next year, the marathon will be held at the new Francistown Stadium and she thanked Masisi for his support.

In the 42.2km race, Raobina Ramoseka snatched the championship in the men’s category followed by Stanley Teimet and Gaolese Bagotsi in the second and third positions. 

In the women’s category, Tabitua Tsatsa of Zimbabwe got position one followed by Mantshapelo Badumetse and Orapeleng Manotwane respectively. The champions walked away with medals, trophies, P8 000, P5 000, and P3 000 each respectively.

In the 21km race,Rapula Diphoko, Shepherd Kenatshele and Godiraone Ntlhompe got position one, two and three respectively in the men’s category while in the women’s category, Muyo Samukeliso, Mema Tiango and Chokula Akuje got the first, second and third positions respectively.

In the 21 km race winners walked away with trophies, medals, P4 000, P2 500 and P1 500 each respectively.

The 10km race was won by Amantle Kekganetswe, Sylvester Koko and Collen Dube respectively in the men’s category while in the women category Joyce Tau, Gaone Bathoen and Botho Marope got position one, two and three respectively.

Winners of the 10km race walked away with P2 000 while those in the second position won P1 000 and those in the third position won P750.

All the runners who managed to complete the races won themselves medals. The theme of the marathon was “City comes alive”. beMOBILE had sponsored the marathon with P500 000 while Debswana sponsored the prizes with P100 000. BOPA