SPONSORS of the Kings Half Marathon say the event is part of a broader plan to empower young people, grow sports tourism and help position Bulawayo as a leading sporting destination.
Sport should be about more than trophies, medals and crossing finish lines, according to the businesses backing the Kings Half Marathon, which organisers hope will help empower young people, boost sports tourism and showcase Bulawayo as a premier sporting destination.
The October 31 event has brought together a growing coalition of corporate partners, including Budget Cash & Carry Wholesale, So Sweet, Kreckle Foods, Nibbles Foods, Gondo Security, MD Law Chambers, MD Elutions, Bux Energy Drinks, Simba and Oakmund Marketing, all united behind a vision that extends beyond athletics.
As preparations for the October 31 race gather pace, sponsors say the Kings Half Marathon is not simply an event on the calendar. In their view, it is an opportunity to invest in young people, stimulate economic activity and demonstrate how sport can help drive Bulawayo’s future growth.
At a time when many young people are battling unemployment, drug abuse and a lack of opportunities, the businesses believe sport can become a powerful vehicle for change.
Budget Cash & Carry Wholesale and So Sweet proprietor Raeez Lunat said their involvement in the Kings Half Marathon and youth football was driven by a long-term vision for the city and its future generations.
“The Kings Marathon and our sponsorship of the Young Flying Stars Sport Academy (YSSA) are not simply corporate initiatives, nor are they driven by financial gain. They are part of a much bigger vision – a vision for the youth, the community and the future of Bulawayo,” said Lunat.
He said sport had the power to provide young people with purpose, discipline and a sense of direction.
“We want to help build a city where young people are exposed to sport, discipline, opportunity and purpose from an early age. Sport has the power to give a young person direction, build confidence and create a sense of belonging. The more positive platforms we create, the greater our opportunity to steer our youth away from drugs, crime and other destructive influences.”
Lunat said while developing young athletes was important, the vision extended beyond youth development.
The businesses want to see Bulawayo become a recognised sporting destination capable of attracting athletes, spectators, families and businesses from across Zimbabwe and beyond.
“But our vision extends beyond youth development. We want to see Bulawayo become a recognised sporting destination – a city capable of hosting events that attract athletes, families, spectators and businesses from across Zimbabwe, the region and eventually beyond our borders.”
He believes sport can become an important driver of tourism and economic activity in the city.
According to Lunat, successful sporting events create opportunities for businesses far beyond the sporting arena, benefiting hotels, restaurants, transport operators and other service providers.
“That is where sports tourism becomes important. A successful sporting event does not benefit sport alone. Visitors need accommodation, restaurants, transport, entertainment and other services.
Local businesses benefit, employment opportunities are created, and the city itself receives greater exposure.”
Lunat said the Kings Half Marathon was designed to demonstrate what could be achieved when businesses, communities and sporting organisations work towards a common goal.
“The Kings Marathon therefore represents more than runners crossing a finish line. It represents what is possible when sport, business, tourism and community development come together around a shared vision.”
He said meaningful youth empowerment required practical interventions rather than endless discussions about the challenges facing young people.
“We also need to change the way we think about youth empowerment. We cannot continuously speak about unemployment, drugs and the challenges facing young people without creating alternatives. Empowerment must go beyond words. We need to create platforms where talent can be discovered, skills can be developed and young people can begin to see possibilities for their own futures.”
Through their support for YSSA and the Kings Half Marathon, Budget Cash & Carry Wholesale and So Sweet hope to help create those opportunities.
Lunat said businesses had a responsibility to contribute to the development of the communities that supported them.
“As businesses, we also have a responsibility to the communities that support us. Success should not only be measured by what we build for ourselves, but also by what we help build around us. For us, giving back is not an obligation – it is part of the vision.”
He said Bulawayo already possessed the ingredients needed for growth, including talented young people, entrepreneurs and a rich sporting culture.
“Bulawayo has history. It has talent. It has entrepreneurs, athletes and young people with tremendous potential. What it needs are more people and organisations willing to invest in that potential and create opportunities for it to flourish.”
Lunat warned that the city could not afford to stand still while opportunities for growth existed.
“WE CANNOT AFFORD TO REMAIN STAGNANT.”
He said the ultimate objective was to help build a city where sport creates opportunities, businesses actively support community development and major sporting events attract investment and visitors.
“Our vision is to help build a Bulawayo where sport creates opportunity, where young people have something meaningful to aspire towards, where businesses contribute to community development, and where major sporting events help position our city as a destination for sports tourism and investment.”
With preparations for the Kings Half Marathon gathering momentum ahead of October 31 and Young Flying Stars continuing to nurture young football talent, Lunat said the initiative represented the beginning of a much bigger journey.
“This is bigger than a marathon. It is bigger than a sponsorship. It is about creating opportunity, empowering our youth, giving back to our community and playing our part in moving Bulawayo forward.”
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