By Our Reporter
The first edition of the MTN-sponsored Ker Alur Kingdom bicycle race competition dubbed “MTN Ker Alur Bicycle Races” was concluded on Saturday in the West Nile District of Zombo.
Launched two months ago, the races that are part of the ongoing partnership between MTN Uganda and the Ker Alur kingdom were a build-up to the upcoming 12th Coronation Anniversary of the King of Ker Alur.
Under this partnership, MTN Uganda seeks to socioeconomically uplift the people of Ker Alur through health, education and sports initiatives.
As suggested by the King of the land, the bicycle races that were launched two months ago were held under the theme “Ending child Pregnancies and Marriage” in Alur land.
In his keynote speech at the grand finale of the bicycle racing competition, His Royal Majesty Philip Olarker Rauni III urged parents to take care of their young girls for better futures.
“The kingdom is working hard to ensure that early child marriages come to an end. We are striving to get rid of the cultural practices that fuel teenage pregnancies,” said his Royal Majesty Pjillip Olaker Rauni III.
The bicycle races attracted 100 participants of all genders including women, men and differently-abled people from the three Ker Alur sub-regions of Pakwach, Nebbi and Zombo districts.
Each of the 3 districts was represented by their top cyclists. The male participants rode a distance of 30 Kilometers while their female counterparts covered a distance of 15 Kilometers.
The differently-abled people and children also took part in the race that saw all winners of the day walking away with assorted cash, among other prizes.
Charity Ayikuru from Nebbi district secured the first position in the women’s race category, a victory that saw her win the grand cash prize of Ugx.1,500,000/= and a brand-new bicycle. In the second position was Charity Kwiyucwiny from Zombo district. She walked away with Ugx 700,000/= while Magritte Agita from Nebbi, who came third won a cash prize of Ugx 300,000/=.
In the men’s category, Zombo district’s Nickson Asiimwe scooped the grand prize of Ugx 1,500,000 after emerging the winner. In second position was Pakwach’s Stephen Kumakech who won Ugx 700,000/= while Zombo’s Stephen Oboth who came third won Ugx 300,000/= all courtesy of MTN Uganda.
Speaking at the event, Phillip Odoi the MTN Uganda Northern Region Business Manager thanked the King of Ker Alur for the great partnership that exists between MTN Uganda and the Kingdom.
“This bicycle race has been very successful and it has clearly demonstrated what can be achieved if companies unite with communities for the greater good of society. We are happy to note that the partnership between MTN Uganda and Ker Alur is growing stronger. We pledge to keep supporting the Kingdom in its pursuit of socioeconomic growth and development.,” Odoi said.
Odoi further thanked the people of Ker Alur for embracing the races and for using the competition as an opportunity to sensitize the kingdom against early marriage and teenage pregnancy in the region.
