Standard Bank pumps K2m into Sailing Marathon

Standard Bank has pumped K2 million into this year’s Lake Malawi Sailing Marathon which begins on June 28 at Cape Maclear in Mangochi.

The fresh-water yachting marathon, which stretches between Mangochi and Nkhata Bay, attracts contestants from as far as South Africa, Canada and the Netherlands.

Standard Bank head of global markets Lesego Osman said the support underscores the bank’s commitment to becoming a long-term financial services partner of the race.

“Standard Bank takes great pride in being the service provider to the Lake Malawi Sailing Marathon,” he said.

Osman said as Africa’s largest bank in terms of assets, Standard Bank is determined to help promote the sport while offering a wide range of expertise and leverage as an international corporate and investment financial house of choice.

“As a bank with an international repute, we are available to a wide spectrum of stakeholders as our network is far-reaching in Africa and beyond,” he said.

According to one of the organisers Bourke Bijl, the annual Lake Malawi Sailing Marathon, which is contested in Spinnaker and Non-spinnaker Classes, has been taking place since 1984. The race challenges sailors to overcome a 600 kilometre distance in the shortest period possible.

Malawian sailors Mcford M’bwana Issa and Matola Mwawa emerged as overall champions in the non-spinnaker class during last year’s event.