THE inaugural Joshua Mqabuko Half-Marathon aimed at honouring the legacy of the late Vice-President Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo, set for September 29, will be sponsored to the tune of $7 000, organisers said yesterday.
REPORT BY SUKOLUHLE MTHETHWA
Chief executive officer of the Joshua Nkomo Foundation Jabulani Hadebe said they were in the process of organising the first- ever marathon to honour the late Vice-President.
“The inaugural Joshua Mqabuko Half-Marathon will be held on September 29. We noticed that the late Vice-President wanted prosperity in Zimbabwe across the whole divide which also included sports, arts and culture. We felt that we could perpetuate his legacy through sport by holding this marathon.
“The marathon will start from Dr Joshua Nkomo’s Museum, which is the late Vice-President’s residence, to his revolutionary house in Pelandaba. The athletes will pass through Hillside, Southwold, Nketa 7, Tshabalala, Nkulumane Complex and Sizane High School turn-off before getting to the Pelandaba house,” he said.
Hadebe said various corporates had assisted in getting the prize monies for the athletes although they are still hoping more would come forward.
“At the moment we have raised $7 000 from different corporates, but we are still hoping that more will come in support of the competition,” he said.
The winner of the 21km race in the men’s section will pocket $800 while the winner in the women’s category will get $500.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
However, Hadebe said would a female athlete come first in the overall 21km race she would be awarded the men’s category first prize of $800.
The other categories in the competition include the juniors who will take part in the 3 x 7km relays while primary school children and veterans will run the 5km race from Nkulumane Complex to the Pelandaba house while the wheelchair category will see athletes battling for top spot in the 21km race.
The winners in the primary and veterans category will pocket $100 while the winners in the wheelchair category will get $500 with the winners in the juniors category receiving $300.
The registration fee is $10 while primary school children and veterans do not pay to register.
Meanwhile, Hadebe said they were still to finalise on this year’s edition of the Joshua Nkomo Invitational Golf Tournament.
Last year Bulawayo Country Club hosted the tournament which was won by Brian Gondo. Elephants Hills in Victoria Falls and a Harare venue have been proposed as possible hosts.
