Sanlam Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing local sporting talent by unveiling plans to enhance financial literacy support for athletes, as part of its broader sports empowerment program.
Speaking during the corporate flag-off of an elite team of Kenyan athletes heading to compete in this weekend’s Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Africa’s first Abbott World Marathon, Sanlam Kenya Group CEO Dr. Nyamemba Tumbo emphasized the firm’s dedication to empowering sportspersons beyond sponsorships.
“At Sanlam Kenya, we are partnering with our sportspersons in more ways than one. Beyond our corporate sponsorships, we are also exploring the modalities of delivering tailor-made financial literacy lessons for the athletes,” said Dr. Tumbo.
He added that the initiative seeks to equip athletes with the financial knowledge needed to ensure long-term stability and prosperity both during and after their professional careers.
The athletes were flagged off at the Sanlam Tower offices in Nairobi in a ceremony presided over by Dr. Paul Tergat, founder of the SOYA Awards, International Olympic Committee (IOC) member, and former president of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK).
The team features some of Kenya’s most promising long-distance runners, including Lilian Jepkorir Chebii, Vincent Kipyegon Ronoh, Josephat Kipkoech, Edwin Kiptoo, Fridah Chepkite Lodepa, Flomena Chepkiach Ngurasia, Godfrey Musanga, and Japhet Kiptoo Kiplagat, all with impressive international track records and strong podium potential.
This year marks a historic milestone as the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon joins the Abbott World Marathon Majors series, placing Cape Town alongside iconic global marathon cities such as Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, Tokyo, and New York. It is the first African city to host the prestigious event, cementing the continent’s place on the global athletics map.
Sanlam has fully sponsored the athletes’ participation, covering travel, logistics, and promotional activities aimed at elevating Africa’s visibility in the global athletics ecosystem. The winning athletes stand a chance to win USD 40,000 in prize money.
According to Dr. Tumbo, this investment aligns with Sanlam’s mission to “create transformative opportunities across sectors and support initiatives that showcase Africa’s excellence to the world.”
With Kenya’s rich athletic heritage and the global spotlight now on Africa, Sanlam’s dual focus on sports sponsorship and financial empowerment signals a new era of holistic athlete support, one that celebrates talent while securing the future of those who represent the nation on the world stage.