![sports-logo](https://sports.mtn.co.ug/wp-content/themes/mtn-vivid-sports/assets/images/sports-logo.png"){kind=logo}
MTN Uganda, Joshua Cheptegei sign one-year sponsorship deal
Uganda’s leading telecommunications company MTN Uganda and 10,000m World record holder Joshua Cheptegei have signed a one year sponsorship deal to aid the latter in fostering talent all over the country.
MTN specifically allocated UGX 100 million towards the Joshua Cheptegei Foundation that is working to develop and provide a platform for young and rising athletes from the Sebei region.
The funds will be used to facilitate academic scholarships for the best performing athletes and community programs, especially entrepreneurial skills training.
A performance-based sponsorship package for Cheptegei was attached to the deal if he wins Olympic Gold in Tokyo or any other medal at the prestigious event this year.
The deal also encompassed a performance incentive for any other world records that Cheptegei breaks. MTN Chief Executive Officer, Wim Vanhelleputte said;
“We are very proud and honoured to announce this sponsorship deal for Joshua. At MTN, this is the next best thing we can do after several years of investment in developing athletics talent and sport in this country.
Through the renowned MTN Kampala Marathon and other Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) programs, MTN has supported the sport for over 15 years. And it is paying off. What Joshua is doing for the country is awesome and deserves to be recognized especially by his country.
Cheptegei expressed his gratitude towards MTN Uganda for the boost towards his Olympic dream.
“I am really honoured and want to take this opportunity to thank MTN for this partnership. This is a big motivation towards achieving my dream to become an Olympic champion.”
Cheptegei rose to the top step in 2014 when he won the World Junior Championships in Eugene, USA before becoming Africa Junior Champion the following year.
Despite the global COVID-19 pandemic that led to the suspension of global sport, Cheptegei ruled the track & field. He broke Kenenisa Bekele’s sixteen-year-old 5000m World Record by setting a new 12:35.36 for which MTN Uganda rewarded Cheptegei with a big cheque.
He later set a new 10000m World Record of 21:11.00 at the NN Valencia World Record Day. And just last month, Cheptegei defended his Monaco Run title to continue his dominance over the discipline.
