LAFARGE Cement Zambia Plc yesterday unveiled a K260 million sponsorship package for the inaugural Zambia Amateur Athletics Association (ZAAA) Lusaka marathon billed for November 3.

The marathon will start and finish at Levy Park in Lusaka.

Lafarge South East Africa Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Fola Esan said during a media briefing at the company's head quarters in Chilanga that the company decided to partner with ZAAA being the implementing organ of the Lafarge Lusaka Marathon to promote health.

Esan said sponsoring the Lusaka Marathon was not only for fun, but as a way of promoting the well-being of corporate institutions and raise funds for the poor in society.

He said by partnering with ZAAA, the event would enhance a productive workforce among workers and that by working together the company was building a better athletic nation.

"It is well known that a productive health can only be achieved through being active in sport, as we all know a productive health promotes good workforce," Esan said.

He said Larfarge is considering turning the event into an annual championship that will help the association raise funds for the charity in society.

And ZAAA president Elias Mpondela said his association was glad to partner with the cement company and help it revive the marathon event which was last held more than five years ago.

Mpondela said the association was always lagging behind to stage such kind of championships because of lack of sponsorship and that ZAAA appreciated the sponsorship and that the implementation of the event was being made.

Mpondela, however, said the championship has been categorised into different stages with winners expected to pocket about US$ 10, 000 with US$ 5, 000 for men and US$ 5, 000 for the women.

He named the categories as 42.5 Kilometres (km) race, 10 km race for corporate participation, 3 km for chief executives and 3 km for family participation respectively.

He said in 42.5 km corporate participating fee per team of 10 people is pegged at K10 million, while individuals in the same category are requested to pay K250, 000.

In the 10 km category corporate teams would be required to pay K 1 million per team of 10 people and individuals would pay K 100, 000 participation fee.

And the 3 km and family categories participants are required to pay K750, 000 for the CEO race and K500, 000 for the family of five people, respectively.