HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – The giant Dahabshiil Group of companies has designs to assist local youths take part in international sports events
This was stated by Hibo Mohamed Warsame the sales and marketing manager of the group’s Hyundai cars sales department at the Hargeisa stadium where she was representing her company during the Somaliland marathon 2020.
The Dahabshiil group is main sponsor of the annual event now in its third year in which foreign and local runners compete in the 42kms and 10kms races held in the capital of Somaliland for purposes of raising funds for the Darlington Gacmadheere Foundation, a British-based charity which promotes and supports the university education of needy and bright students in the country.
Informing that the group of companies shall in future increase support provide to the event now dubbed Dahabshiil Somaliland Marathon thus ensure sustainability Ms. Hibo said “most importantly is the desire to see that youthful Somalilanders have avenues to not only compete locally but instill a hunger for aspirations to international arenas” adding that top and world beating athletes in long and short distances races are from neighbnouring Ethiopia and Kenya thence Somaliland can do it too if opportunities are made possible.
Stressing that the participation absence of Somaliland youths in international athletics events is not as a result of inability but opportunity, the Hyundai motors marketing manager said that Dahabshiil is fully committed towards supporting events like the annual marathon that shall ultimately culminate with local champions running at top races globally.
Said “The speed and endurance of runners this year surpasses the past two events thence a clear indicate that given opportunity “Not only shall our athletes’ attain world competition standards but break Kenyans and Ethiopians held world records”
Dahabshiil which contributed directly to the event organizers as well as giving handsome cash awards to three top competitors in each of the three race categories namely 42kms, 10kms male and 10kms female with the three winners of the 42kms race getting $800, $500 and $300 respectively while top three of both female and male 10kms event received $600, $400 and $250 each respectively.
Though the marathon is basically geared towards supporting the Darlington Gacmadheere Foundation thence non-profit the Dahabshiil award of cash prizes to winners is a token meant to enable them acquire training kits as well as partially fund their training for the next event says Ms. Hibo
Adding that the group of companies does not intend to stay away until the next event slated for February 2021 the company executive revealed that plans are ongoing with organizers in the direction of entering into a partnership contract for purposes of ensuring the Dahabshil Somaliland Marathon is sustained this becomes a permanent fixture in the Somaliland sports calendar an objective expressed by sports minister Boss Mire.
“If the huge female participation is anything to go by then our full partnership in this annual athletics event shall be noteworthy” said Hibo Mohamed Warsame the sales and marketing manager of Dahabshil’s Hyundai cars sales department
If Dahabshil the main sponsor of the Somaliland Marathon succeeds in becoming a partner it shall join others like Edna Adan Hospital, Untamed Borders and the Darlington Gacmadheere Foundation
The Dahabshil Somaliland Marathon 2020 attracted an international participation of 350 runners among them 30 from Europe, Asia and the Americas.
