15/12/2016
This event was originally planned by Mr Maatla Seboks Sebokolodi and myself in January 2016. At that time, I was working at Botswana Public Service College in Gaborone as JICA Botswana volunteer.
Mr Sebokolodi is now working at Botswana Power Corporation in Palapye and unfortunately he couldn't come to the event due to his job rotation.
At the beginning, we don't know how we can organize this kind of event, so we started crowdfunding challenge to get the budget for the event. This challenge was done for 3 months from February to May. And in the last day of the challenge we achieved 100 kp**a thanks to my many friends in Japan. Then in the end of June, I had to go back to Japan due to the end of contract with JICA.
In Tokyo, I worked with Botswana Embassy in Japan to ask Chobe District Commissioner to launch local committee for the marathon. I would like to say thanks to Mr Jacob Nkate, Botswana Ambassador for his great help. And now he is back in Botswana after 3 years stays in Japan. He loves his country and he always does his best for Botswana. And I would like to appreciate to Mr Leipego, District Commissioner, Ms Modise of MYSC, and Mr Ntana of BTO, and other local committee members. Without their intensive effort. this event has never been realized.
I hope Botswana Chobe Marathon should be the continuous annual event for long time until 100 years anniversary of this county. Thanks everyone, Thanks Botswana.
Ko Ito