RESCORP’S E80K FOR LUBOMBO MARATHON

SIMUNYE – The Royal Eswatini Sugar Corporation (RESCorp) has generously pledged E80 000 in support of the Lubombo Marathon. This announcement was made by Managing Director Nick Jackson during the launch of the event’s fourth edition at Simunye Country Club yesterday. The marathon is scheduled for April 5, 2025, at the Siteki Sports Ground, featuring three categories: 42.2km, 21km and 10km. Registration fees are set at E200 for the longer events and E160 for the 10km event, with registration closing on April 3, 2025. “We are proud to sponsor the race with E60 000, while an additional E20 000 will be allocated directly to our teams’ participation and logistical needs,” Jackson stated. He highlighted that RESCorp engages in over 14 sporting disciplines, with a keen focus on athletics, encouraging others to participate in the marathon to promote a healthy lifestyle and keep employees active.

Gratitude

TZD Director Zakhele Dlamini expressed gratitude to sponsors and partners, urging additional stakeholders to collaborate in support of the event, which has a budget of E460 000.
Other partners include Siteki Town Council, Good Shepherd Catholic Hospital, Tambankulu Estates, Dixies International, NTT Toyota and MulaSport. Dlamini articulated the potential of sports to bolster the economy and attract tourism, generating foreign currency.

“Many countries have successfully leveraged sports as a lucrative industry; unfortunately, professional sports are not prevalent in our nation,” he remarked. This has inspired Dlamini to invest in advancing sports within Eswatini. “We have incorporated pupils from schools in the Lubombo region into our programmes, aiming to identify and nurture talented learners who are often overlooked due to limited resources and guidance,” he explained. Dlamini expressed a commitment to supporting these pupils, providing them with the necessary resources to compete with the nation’s premier athletes.

“Our goal is to inspire them, showing that their God-given talents can lead to employment opportunities.” Since its inception in 2019, the Lubombo Marathon aims to deliver a premier race that attracts elite runners from beyond the country’s borders. Dlamini emphasised the marathon’s dedication to running enthusiasts, sports lovers and those interested in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

“We believe the Lubombo Marathon enhances our region’s prestige and yields significant social benefits, presenting an excellent opportunity for companies to promote physical fitness and team-building among their workforce.” He asserted that sports play a vital role in improving employee wellness and achieving a healthy work-life balance. “Participation in the Lubombo Marathon offers numerous physical, mental, emotional and social benefits for companies that encourage their employees to join.” Dlamini also announced that the prize structure remains unchanged.

The top five finishers in all three events will receive rewards, with E5 000 for the marathon winners; E3 000 for the 21.1km victors; and E2 000 for the 10km. Prizes for juniors in the 10km reflect the commitment to nurturing young talent. He shared insights about the marathon route, highlighting the invigorating fresh air from indigenous trees lining the tranquil roads, making it an ideal setting for long-distance running.

Tourism

Dlamini believes that the Lubombo Marathon has the potential to attract international runners, enhancing tourism and generating revenue for Eswatini. Darius Dlomo, the Chief Executive Officer of the Eswatini National Sports and Recreation Council (ESRC), underscored the significance of the marathon initiative. Representing the Minister for Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, Bongani Nzima, he stated: “This event aims to revive our glory days in athletics by bringing home medals,” emphasising that medals are vital for fostering national pride and unity. Dlomo called for a stronger commitment to enhancing participation in marathon running, encouraging more emaSwati to engage in the sport to nurture and elevate local talent.
He also challenged the organisers to ensure the event serves as a qualifier for international races, underscoring the need for excellence in Eswatini’s athletic landscape.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: