3rd Annual Kandahar 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 Kandahar, Jalalabad, Mazar Sharif, Takhar/Kunduz, 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 would be organized in Kabul the capital of Afghanistan.
The planning and execution for the idea involved 600 people from Bayat Foundation and Afghan Wireless 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), Newspaper ads and BTL which includes Posters, Outdoors to excite people to come participate in this mega event. Approximately 500-600 registration forms were received out of which first 300 to 400 participants were selected for the race.
This year the Annual Run Race is held in Kandahar on 11th April, 2008 and received tremendous response from the people of Kandahar. The race started from Baba Wali Dorahi and ended at Arghandab Sarkari Bagh. Followed by Jalalabad, Mazar-e- Sharif, Takhar/Kunduz,Heart and Khost on respectively.
The 10 Km race in all regions had participants from all age groups from approx.16 to 40 years old. An overwhelming crowd of nearly 10-20,000 persons were physically present in the city to watch the participants run.
Event was sponsored by some of the company’s existing in Afghanistan, like Etehad Afghan Group and Afghanistan International Bank (AIB) and they joined hands with Bayat Foundation and Afghan Wireless by supporting the cause with their products and cash prizes. A total prize money of 200,000/-Af was distributed in cash and gifts worth 100,000/-Af were also distributed by AWCC. Sponsors contribution was over 200,000/-Af comprising of cash and gifts for the participants. 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 each 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.
The true spirit of fraternity and solidarity was so strong that the participants danced the national dance together at the end of the Run Race at the finish point. Bayat Foundation and Afghan Wireless arranged for regional singers in each race to create an ambience full of joy, music and cheerfulness for the city.
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”.
The participants comprising of 300-400 to run a 10 Km stretch passing through the main arteries of the capital city of Kandahar city..
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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