The event was launched at the Gaborone Golf Club yesterday where the organiser, Glody Dube of the Golden Door Sports Agency, said World Athletics (WA) has granted Botswana a Cross Country Continental Tour of Gold status.
“This is an open event for all cross country runners in Botswana and invitations have been sent to runners from other countries. We have received confirmations from Belgium, Italy, Kenya, Uganda and we expect more confirmations from other runners in Southern Africa,” he said.
Dube said the event is a qualifier for the World Cross Country Championships to be held in the Park of Friendship in Belgrade, Serbia on March 30. For her part, FNBB director of marketing and communications, Peo Poroga said their interest in sports goes beyond traditional sponsorship.
Poroga said their involvement reflects their dedication to a shared value strategy, which is aimed to ensure that communities which FNBB Botswana operates in are developed and benefit from the bank’s success. “Our shared value strategy is not just a philosophy, it is a guiding force behind our extensive partnership with stakeholders, suppliers, employees and communities. We have partnered with the Golden Door Sports Agency before to deliver the FNB Botswana Golden Grand Prix 2023, a magnificent event that showcased athletics excellence,” she said.
Porogo said the sponsorship amount they have made would go towards planning, organising and hosting the BICC as well as prize money for the athletes. The event comprises of 4x2 mixed relay, 6km Under-20 women, 8km Under-20 men, senior women 10km and senior men 10km. Prize money Senior men (10km): P26, 000 (gold), P20,500 (silver), P13, 000 (bronze), 4th: P10, 000 Senior women (10km): P26, 000 ( gold), P20, 500 (silver), P13, 000 (bronze), 4th: P10, 000 Junior men (8km): P6, 000 (gold), P4, 000 (silver), P2,600 (bronze), 4th: P1, 300 Junior women (6km): P6, 000 (gold), P4, 000 (silver), P2,600 (bronze), 4th: P1,300 Mixed relay: P10, 000 (gold), P6, 000 (silver), P2, 600 (bronze).
