NBC Dodoma Marathon raises Sh300 million

Dar es Salaam.  A total of Sh300 million was raised in the NBC Dodoma Marathon that ended yesterday at the Jamhuri Stadium in Dodoma Region.

The race, which was graced by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, featured more than 12,000 runners from Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, whereby the money would be used to save the lives of mothers and children.

The runners competed in the 10 kilometres race, half and full marathons while PM Majaliwa leading various dignitaries of the nation and institutions in the five kilometres race.

Speaking at the prize-giving ceremony for the winners and other stakeholders, PM Majaliwa commended NBC Bank for their achievements, expressing his appreciation for a significant increase in the number of participants.

He said the increased number of the participants should serve as a wake up call to the citizens to take part in sports that would help combat noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, kidney and chronic respiratory diseases.

"The contribution of NBC Bank to uplifting the sports industry in the country is evident, as they have allocated over Sh36 billion to support various sports sponsorships.

“Through this marathon, they have managed to raise Sh300 million this year alone as the money will be directed towards various health efforts to save the lives of mothers and children,” said Majaliwa.

Majaliwa also praised the bank's actions, noting that they align with President Samia Suluhu's vision of improving the healthcare sector.

He called on other private and public institutions to follow NBC's example and create more sporting events to improve the health of the citizens and achieve social development goals.

For his part, Culture, Arts, and Sports Deputy Minister Hamis Mwinjuma echoed the Prime Minister's sentiment, stating that the NBC Dodoma Marathon provided an opportunity for the authorities to identify potential national competitors in international events, including the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games.

NBC Bank Managing Director Theobald Sabi, stated that the raised cash will be directed towards achieving the goals of the marathon, which includes fighting against cervical cancer in collaboration with the Ocean Road Cancer Institute, as well as offering education sponsorship for midwives through the Benjamin Mkapa Foundation.

"Further, some of the funds will be directed towards the construction of an operating room for patients at the Muhimbili National Hospital.

“These achievements are driven by our commitment to being at the forefront of supporting the community we serve. I also extend my thanks to various stakeholders who contributed to the success of the marathon, including Sanlam Insurance Company, the main sponsors of the marathon, along with Vodacom, the sponsors of the 21 kilometres race, and all others who supported us," he said.

In the event, Ugandan athlete Akanswa Mingichi emerged victorious in the men's 42 marathon after clocking 2:13:00 while Eyenali Paul of Kenya was the runner-up after finishing at 2: 14:00.

In the women's category, Angelina Yumba of Tanzania won the race after clocking 2:33:00 and was followed by Chopsiriri Tufena of Kenya who clocked 2:34:00.

The winners of the marathon each received a cash prize of Sh11.5 million and sports equipment, while the runners-up were each awarded Sh5 million and sports equipment.

In the half-marathon, Kenyan Peter Mwangi was the winner after clocking 1:2:23 while Tanzanian Joseph Panga was the runner-up after finishing at 1:02:35. In the women's half-marathon, Sarah Makera emerged the winner  after clocking 2:10, while Suzana Chembui of Kenya came in second, finishing at 1:11:00.

The winners of the half marathon each received Sh5.5 million and sports equipment, while the runners-up were each awarded Sh 2.5 million and sports equipment.