The Bank M and Rotary Tanzania have signed Memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the bank to continue to be the main partner to the Rotary Dar Marathon.
For the sixth year, Bank M Tanzania Ltd has joined hands to become the main partner of the Rotary Dar Marathon 2014, which will be held during Nyerere Day on October 14th this year at the green on Kenyatta Drive.
The event continues with the same theme “Empowering Future Leaders through education” and funds raised will go towards the second phase of the refurbishment of the 400m2 state of the art, Entrepreneurship and Resource Centre, at the University of Dar es Salaam by providing a setup of another 85-seater thin-client computer network with all software and to support disability access.
Speaking in Dar es Salaam on Friday after signing MoU, Bank M Chairman Nimrod Mkono said his bank is proud to be the major partner to the event since the introduction of the project six years ago.
For this year’s marathon, the bank is investing 350m/-. He said Bank M has always been on the front line supporting community based projects. “Our policy has always been working hand in hand with other reputable organisations in making a difference to the community,” said Mkono, adding, “this particular project is evidently a landmark of our commitment to work together with The Rotary Clubs to reach goal of making a positive change to the community welfare.”
He also added that the centre in UDSM will become the centre of excellence in information in the country and serve the community for the 15,000 students enrolled and for generations to come.
The Rotary Dar Marathon Board Chair, Sharmila Bhatt said that Rotary in Tanzania has grown and will continue to grow with partners like Bank M.
Bhatt said the Rotary Dar Marathon will continue to make a difference in the community like the recently finished Rotary Oncology Paediatric ward at the Muhimbili National Hospital which will make a significant impact to the survival rate of cancer in children in Tanzania.
” Rotary Dar Marathon Chair, Vikash Shah states that “The event intends to mobilise 10,000 walkers and runners and aims to raise over 500m/- towards this cause.
The marathon will also draw professional runners from across the world with the attractive cash prizes for the winners. According to Vikash, in order to increase participation and spice-up the whole event, two new routes – the family fun 5KM walk and a 21.1km cycling race have been added.
This is over and above the 21.1km half marathon and the 9km walk. To make the marathon more advanced an Innovative Timing System has been introduced whereby all the runners time will be tracked.
The marathon will start and finish at The Green in Oysterbay and it will take a route to Toure Drive, Chole road, Haile and Ali Hassan Mwinyi
By FRANK KIMARO, Tanzania Daily News