- Masupe extols the nation’s success in the global athletics arena
- Unveils Platinum Sponsorship of P800K for 2023 UB Marathon
The University of Botswana Marathon is an opportunity to contribute to sports development and sports tourism in Botswana, the CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Botswana, (SCBB) Mpho Masupe, has said.
Speaking at a media launch of Standard Chartered Bank as the Platinum Sponsor of the 2023 UB Marathon in Gaborone recently, Masupe said the contemporary generation of Batswana is fortunate to witness the country’s surge in the area of global sports with emerging talent taking centre stage at international events. The highly-anticipated marathon, the second of the annual event, is scheduled for UB Stadium on 24 September, significantly less than a week to Botswana Day on 30 September.
‘Here for Good’
“This marathon offers a platform to boost development of the local sports fraternity and allows us to showcase Botswana’s ability to host international-level sporting events,” he asserted.
“These are key elements that went into the decision to become the Platinum Sponsor of the 2023 UB Marathon. Our 126-year legacy has been reinforced by delivering on our promise that we are ‘Here for Good,’ and the marathon gives us an occasion to execute on that promise.” The Standard Chartered Platimum Sponsorship of the 2023 UB Marathon is in the amount of P800 000.
Runners Living with Disabilities
“Part of our sponsorship will be providing the prize earnings for the 42.2km male and female winners, as well as the prizes for winners in the category of Runners Living with Disabilities,” Masupe explained.
“This sponsorship underscores our commitment to being an active player in the growth and development of the local sports and educational communities.” He noted that education is important and highly regarded at SCBB because the bank believes it is vital to building a society equipped with the skills needed to ensure an economically diverse and globally competitive country.
UB scholarship endowment fund
“The proceeds from the marathon that will go towards the UB’s scholarship endowment fund for graduate students is one of the key steps in enabling access to higher education,” he said.
Masupe added that one of the values his bank stands for is in Lifting Participation. “This ‘stand,’ as we call it, drives us to make banking accessible at scale and to connect our clients to opportunities to make meaningful societal impact,” he said. “Our relationship with UB exemplifies how we are enacting on this stand. This relationship is decades in the making where UB has been a valued client of ours.
Financial literacy
“Standard Chartered Bank previously provided student accounts, thus enabling the inclusion of youth in the banking system, and has continuously promoted financial literacy among students and staff.”
Meanwhile, UB Marathon has grown in popularity since it began last year. It attracted 800 local and international athletes and other participants in the inuagural in 2022. The event features a range of running distances, catering to diverse interests and fitness levels. Participants can choose from the 42km and the 21km routes, the 10km course or the vibrant 5km fun run.
