Top runners to continue chase for glory
Oct 09, 2009
STANDARD Chartered bank has suspended the Greatest Race on Earth Relay, but will continue supporting Ugandan athletes to the individual races starting on October 25.
By Norman Katende
STANDARD Chartered bank has suspended the Greatest Race on Earth Relay, but will continue supporting Ugandan athletes to the individual races starting on October 25.
The relay involved teams or nations entering athletes in each of the races in Nairobi, Mumbai, Singapore and Hong Kong.
The team with the least accumulated time was declared winner of the different categories. The winners and the other top performers shared $1m (sh1.9bn).
The bank’s head of corporate affairs Herbert Zake confirmed that their sponsorship of Permier League side Liverpool at the tune of $80m per year starting next season, has adversely effected their resources.
“Our headquarters wanted to do something more tangible and they decided on sponsoring Liverpool. This meant that we had to cut costs and the relay was affected,†said Zake.
He however explained that the bank will keep on facilitating Ugandan athletes for training and competition in the different marathon races as individuals.
Uganda Athletics Federation secretary Beatrice Ayikoru, said that athletes will be soon be picked to take part in the different legs.
“We have to consult them on how prepared they are and which races they will be competing in,†she said yesterday.
Joseph Nsubuga, Alex Malinga are two of Uganda’s leading runners who competed in the relay last year. The runners could still still be considered for the individual races.
STANDARD Chartered bank has suspended the Greatest Race on Earth Relay, but will continue supporting Ugandan athletes to the individual races starting on October 25.
The relay involved teams or nations entering athletes in each of the races in Nairobi, Mumbai, Singapore and Hong Kong.
The team with the least accumulated time was declared winner of the different categories. The winners and the other top performers shared $1m (sh1.9bn).
The bank’s head of corporate affairs Herbert Zake confirmed that their sponsorship of Permier League side Liverpool at the tune of $80m per year starting next season, has adversely effected their resources.
“Our headquarters wanted to do something more tangible and they decided on sponsoring Liverpool. This meant that we had to cut costs and the relay was affected,†said Zake.
He however explained that the bank will keep on facilitating Ugandan athletes for training and competition in the different marathon races as individuals.
Uganda Athletics Federation secretary Beatrice Ayikoru, said that athletes will be soon be picked to take part in the different legs.
“We have to consult them on how prepared they are and which races they will be competing in,†she said yesterday.
Joseph Nsubuga, Alex Malinga are two of Uganda’s leading runners who competed in the relay last year. The runners could still still be considered for the individual races.