2nd Annual Mazar Run Race 2008 – All regions stand united to Say No to Drugs:
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As seen witnessed in the previous years, this year again Afghanistan showed tremendous evolution in the society when people joined hands to cheer the participants of regional Run Races being held in all the major regions which include Kabul, Kandahar, Jalalabad, Mazar Sharif, Takhar/Kunduz, Bamyan, Herat and Khost. |  |
This catalyst of change was brought forward by one person vision Mr.Ehsan Bayat, Chairman of Bayat Foundation. When many were skeptical about it he was strong in his belief and the dream he had.
The dream was to organize races in all major regions where people would run to Say No to Drugs, Yes to Peace and Unity & Let’s Create Green Afghanistan. To show the entire world that even in a tough situation the Afghan people can get together and show their spirit of resilience and will power. The true Afghan spirit! The regional Run Races were planned to be organized over a period of three months and to conclude the biggest of all events The Annual Run Race 2008 which would be organized in Kabul; the capital of Afghanistan.
The planning and execution for the idea involved more than 600 people from Bayat Foundation and Afghan Wireless collectively in each event and it considered all aspects including security, management, food/refreshments and pre-event activities for each regional race.
The pre-event activities included campaigning on Ariana Television Network (ATN & FM 93.5), BTL which includes Posters and Outdoors (Billboard’s) to excite people to come participate in this mega event. Approximately 500 registration forms were received out of which first 350 participants were selected for the race. Participants included 29 Females.
This year the Annual Run Race is held in Mazar Shareef on 06th June, 2008 which received tremendous response from the people. The race started from Airport Road and ended at Mazar Stadium. These races will be followed by Herat, Bamyan, Khost and Kabul respectively.
The 10 Km race in the region had participants from all age groups from approx.16 to 40 years old. An overwhelming crowd of nearly 10-15,000 persons were physically present to watch the participants run.
Event was organized by Bayat Foundation, Afghan Wireless, media partners were Ariana Television Network, FM 93.5 in collaboration with sponsor like Sadat Cola. Sadat Cola as the sponsor supported the cause with their products at this fabulous event. Total prize money of 85,000/-Af was distributed in cash were distributed between the winners and participants. Apart from this there were 10 bicycles given to the first 10 winners.
This corporate participation shows the popularity of the event and the commitment of the corporate sector in promoting socially relevant messages like ours, “Say No to Drugs”.
Every one present witnessed the excitement, thrill, joy, happiness and above all the feeling of harmony in the region which have been rocked by the insecurity in the past. Leaflets were distributed amongst people, promoting the Run Race cause which added cheers to the crowd. Every kilometer was marked and had a water stall where water; glucose and biscuits were available to be provided to the runners as well as to the crowd present there cheering the runners with small flags of the race cause in their hands.
It was seen that the participants came not only from the main cities but from nearby cities & provinces too. All of them ran while wearing T-Shirts, Caps and small Towels gifted by Bayat Foundation and Afghan Wireless.
In the post event activities each run race story was aired by Ariana TV and Radio the very next day on the countries largest network. In addition, all other media also published about this mega event as news report.
The conclusive Run Race will be held in Kabul which would bring the whole country together and with one voice and “Say No to Drugs”.
About Afghan Wireless “An Afghan Company, By Afghans, For Afghans”
Afghan Wireless Communication Company (AWCC), headquartered in Kabul, is the largest private investor in Afghanistan. Afghan Wireless is also the largest employer of Afghans in Afghanistan, employing approximately 3,000 people directly and another 30,000 indirectly. AWCC is a leader in delivering wireless and broadband communication solutions to residential and business customers. The company has a strong reputation for philanthropy, supporting charitable organizations, assisting orphans, women, hunger relief and education through its own efforts and in conjunction with the Bayat Foundation (www.bayatfoundation.org).
Additional information about Afghan Wireless and the products and services provided is available at www.afghan-wireless.com.
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