-jpg) Kampala, Uganda: MTN has this morning announced the ninth edition of the Annual MTN Kampala Marathon, slated for Sunday November 27, 2011, setting off from the Kololo Airstrip.
At a Press Conference at the Serena Kampala Hotel this morning, MTN Chief Executive Officer Themba Khumalo announced this year’s Marathon theme as ‘What’s Your Reason To Run?’ and challenged both Ugandans and people across the region to turn up in large numbers to participate in “Uganda’s biggest annual sporting event”.
Last year, about 20,000 people ran the marathon, collecting UGX 230 million, part of which will be handed to the Uganda Red Cross and the rest to a number of other partners to execute water projects around the country, particularly in areas where vulnerable people have no access to clean and safe drinking water.
Khumalo said MTN has always used the Kampala Marathon as an opportunity to involve thousands of Ugandans in charitable causes, which to date have collected close to UGX 700 million. This money has been used in a number of projects in Northern and Eastern Uganda through the Uganda Red Cross over the years.
“The Uganda Red Cross has consistently exhibited its care of duty by delivering on these projects, from the Mama Bag Kit Donations for internally displaced people in Northern Uganda that we purchased and distributed in the early years of the MTN Kampala Marathon, to the most recent water project in Lamwo District that has given close to 30,000 Ugandans guaranteed access to clean and reliable water,” he added.
“This year, we want to expand our approach to broader community engagement through the provision of clean and safe water for people in Amuria and are currently engaging a number of partners that can execute these water projects,” he added.
Together with its partners, MTN has selected Amuria as one of the most remote areas with a definite need for access to clean and safe water. The different communities in this area will be able to benefit from the money collected from the 2011 MTN Marathon.
Speaking at the same event, the Uganda Red Cross Secretary General, Mr. Michael Richard Nataka expressed gratitude to MTN for having chosen to work with the Red Cross to help save lives over the last 8 years. He also pledged the Uganda Red Cross would still be on hand in the Kampala Marathon 2011 to provide emergency services to all participants.
“Working with MTN over the last 8 years has seen us achieve many of our goals in saving lives and we are glad that MTN chose to partner with us on various projects including our Mama Bag appeals and our water projects. We are partners with MTN in the Kampala Marathon and we will be on the routes providing emergency services for participants who require help,” said Mr. Nataka.
At the Press Conference, MTN also unveiled this year’s Marathon campaign, which will run for the next six weeks to mobilize participants to take part in the MTN Kampala Marathon.
MTN also announced the adoption of new technology to record participant’s speeds and times. The timing chips this year will be embedded in the participants’ bibs, which will ensure more accurate timing and reduce on the possibility of equipment damage during the race.
About the MTN GROUP
Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a multinational telecommunications group, operating in 21 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code: "MTN". As at 30 September 2009, MTN recorded 108,4 million subscribers across its operations in Afghanistan, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Cyprus, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Republic, Iran, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo (Congo Brazzaville), Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Uganda, Yemen and Zambia. Please visit: www.mtn.com and www.mtnplay.com
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