MTN Marathon: Vision Group gives sh250m

MTN Chief Commercial Officer Somdev Sen (2nd left) and MTN Manager Sponsorships and Events John Paul Okwi (right) receive a sh250m dummy cheque from Vision Group's Joseph Byaruhanga (left) Marketing Manager Print & Printing and Dorothy Muttu (2nd left) and Head of Marketing and Communication, towards the MTN Kampala Marathon during a press conference at Vision Group offices. PHOTOS: Michael Nsubuga

Vision Group has given the MTN Marathon a sh250m boost.

The offer from Uganda's top media house has Vision Group covering the marathon on all its platforms.

"We are giving back to maternal health," said Head of Marketing and Communication Dorothy Muttu.

Proceeds from this year will go towards improvement of maternal health.

"Up to 47 in every 100 women in Uganda die because of poor maternal health.

We hope the turn up speaks to the cause," said Muttu as she handed over the cheque to Somdev Sen, MTN's acting Chief Marketing Officer at Vision Group's head office.

Sen thanked Vision Group for the gesture that has the media house covering the marathon before, during and after its flag-off.

 Vision Group's Byaruhanga (left) the Marketing Manager Print & Printing and  Head of Marketing and Communication  Muttu (2nd left) and MTN Chief Commercial Officer Sen (2nd left) and MTN Manager Sponsorships and Events  Okwi (right) display MTN Marathon kit

"This is a huge offer from Vision Group. We thank all those who join MTN in ensuring that no mother is in pain."

Sen also observed that the marathon keeps growing because of partners like Vision Group. He cited the recent regional run in Arua that drew record numbers.

Also present was John Paul Okwi, MTN's Manager Sponsorships and Events and Joseph Byaruhanga, Vision Group's Marketing Manager.

As Okwi handed over a kit to Muttu he also demonstrated a new addition of a phone pouch.

 MTN Manager Sponsorships and Events Okwi (right) explains the use of phone porch that has been added to the kit for this year's marathon, flanked by Byaruhanga (left) Marketing Manager Print & Printing,  Muttu (2nd left) and Head of Marketing and Communication and MTN Chief Commercial Officer Sen 

"We always had a challenge of many of the participants not comfortably running with their phones. But with this pouch, everyone will be able to have their phones."

Vision Group has for long been a key partner for the marathon that has over the past 15 years grown into Kampala's biggest social event.

Stanbic, Huawei, Rwenzori, Uganda Athletics Federation and Uganda Police are some of the other partners.

Sen and Muttu at the press conference

World and Olympic champion Stephen Kiprotich and double Commonwealth and African champion Moses Kipsiro are some of the big names that have featured in the annual race.

The race also attracts a big international entry that has over the years had Kenya has dominate the podium.