Over 10 companies have confirmed sponsorship support to the 21st edition of the Inter-Company Relay (ICR) to be held on June 22, 2019 at Lusaka’s Heroes Stadium with Madison Life Insurance earning the naming rights to edition.
The Madison 21st ICR, which will be held under the theme “21st ICR – The Key to New Life Style –Walk and Run” is expected to be graced by President Edgar Lungu.
The 10 companies have confirmed sponsorship even before the launch of the the fundraising efforts towards the 21stedition.
The ICR which hopes to attract sponsorships and pledges amounting to K1.5 million this year, still has a number of available sponsorship opportunities to companies that still want to come on board.
“The 21st ICR will be named after Madison Life Insurance who have pledged to support the ICR and make this edition better and more successful than previous editions.
Zambia Breweries will bring together all participating companies for the health dinner a day before the ICR while our all-weather partner Bata Shoe Company will be the official foot wear and sponsor of the Bata Power Race.
Top Star will provide live broadcast of the event while China Jiangxu will provide the medical equipment support and Avic International will supply the winners’ trophies.
Zambeef has confirmed participation of more than 60 of its staff in various races and Zambia State Insurance Corporation will provide insurance cover to all participants,” says Elias Mpondela, ICR Chairperson.
Others that have confirmed participation include Zambia Environmental Management Agency, Zambian National Service, Stay Easy Hotel, Kafue Gorge Training Centre, HIS and Indo-Zambia Bank.
Existing sponsorship opportunities still to be taken include the Kids Race, Youth Talent Identification Programme and People with Disability Race, Five Kilometre Health Walk, Hundred Metre Chief Executive Officers’ Race and the High-Performance Programme among other interesting slots.
“The ICR thanks all our all-weather companies and friends that have supported the ICR and Athletics in the past, we invite them to continue with us and come on board even this year and pick their sponsorship slots. New comers are welcome to partner with us as well,” says Elias Mpondela.
The ICR is a Zambia Amateur Athletic Association corporate social sporting event that brings together companies and communities to promote health lifestyles through sport and play activities and has been providing free testing and health screening against selected medical conditions to all since 1999.
Funds realised from the ICR activities are ploughed into developing athletics in Zambia including Talent Identification Programmes (TIP) and promotion of excellency among athletics in Zambia.
“Over the years, funds realised from the ICR activities have helped ZAAA to identify young talents from rural areas, especially young girls and has helped coaches and athletes prepare for upcoming competitions that Zambia has reaped medals and recognition. The ICR has improved health lifestyles among participants, improved the running of athletics sport clubs and has helped Zambia produce champions in regional competitions,” Mpondela said.
The annual ICR has also become companies’ team building exercise and has helped reduce the social distance between executives and employees. The ICR also allows companies to interact with their clients and potential markets while show casing their brand identity and their corporate social responsibility activities to the nation through live news media broadcast services at the event.
The ICR also enables busy employees to have their vitals and other medical conditions checked by a variety of experienced doctors and health practitioners.
“President Edgar Lungu is inspiring Zambia to be a healthy nation through sport and play and the 21st ICR platform provides for partners, companies and families with a great platform for supporting healthy life styles, national dialogue and community development through sport and play. Come join the Inter-Company Relay and walk and run with us,” he said/MB Zambia Ltd, Consultants at favourable media and public relations.
