The Great South Sudan Run was held in April to raise funds to fight famine after the government and United Nations declared famine in some parts of the country earlier this year.
The total amount raised is eleven million four hundred fifty-nine thousand and eighty (11,459,080) South Sudanese pounds, and United States dollars 3,921.19 (three thousand nine hundred twenty-one dollars and nineteen cents).
The organizers say the total amount of money pledged by the public was 14,220,000 SSP and 205,000 dollars.
“Due to the prevailing economic situation the country is experiencing, realization of the pledges has been a daunting task to the fundraising committee,” said Ayesheshim Teka, the Chairperson of the organizing committee and the proponent of the South Sudan Great Run.
Dembesh hotel spent seven million South Sudanese pounds to organize the run. However, Teka, also the Manager of Dembesh Hotel said he will not ask for a refund of the money because it was part of his contribution to the event.
The spokesperson of the organizing committee, Ambassador John Andruga said the committee took long to announce the funds because of the difficulty in following up with the pledges.
Teka said between April and August, the committee has been working hard to encourage individuals and institutions that have made pledges to fulfill their commitments.
Dr. Martin Elia Lomoro the Minister of Cabinet Affairs said the committee and all the other line ministries will identify priority beneficiaries communities and convert the money into hard currency to import essential commodities for the people.
“It should help the people the event was organized for,” Lomoro said.
Lomoro said the event also improved confidence in the security of the country because many international athletes took part in the run.
The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Nadia Arop Dudi said even if the event was organized to raise funds to fight famine and hunger, it also achieved a lot by uniting the people.
Dudi said the government will take the responsibility of organizing the event annually to raise funds for famine and poverty, as well as to unite the citizens.
Teka also said the committee is in the advanced stage to register the event as an association so that through it, the next generation of South Sudanese athletes can be developed.
The run attracted athletes from Kenya and Ethiopia most notable was Haile Gebrselassie, a retired Ethiopian long-distance track and road running athlete.
Source: Gurtong