The two leading brands in South African athletics and road running in particular have extended their relationship for another five years, it was announced today (16 November).
Nike and Nick B Sport Promotions who owns the Nedbank Running Club`s in South Africa went into partnership in 2013 for the first time, with the relationship signed until 2016. Now both Nick B Sport Promotions who managed the Nedbank Running Club and Nike will continue their partnership until 2020.
“The Nedbank Running Club speaks to us,” says Masilo Alpheus Masha, Sports Marketing Executive Africa at Nike. “They have a vested interest in Development if you look at the efforts done by Siyaya Khoza and Enoch Skosona amongst others. And development is crucial to our brand and us. But they are also a slick and well run professional product, one with whom any brand is happy to align themselves with.”
“Having a brand such as Nike support the club speaks volumes for us. It mean’s that having such a prestigious brand associated with the Club shows we are doing the little things right. This then makes the big things easier. Most importantly it allows us to provide some of South Africa’s best current athletes and best up and coming athletes with backing on all fronts,” says the CEO of Nick B Sport Promotions and Nedbank Running Club National Manager, Nick Bester.
The deal mean’s that 60 Nedbank Running Club elite members will be supplied with kit and shoes, whilst on different levels runners will be eligible for different benefits.
The relationship also mean’s that not only will the Nedbank Running Club provide their members with incentives for winning the major races in South Africa, but Nike too will pay out incentives. A win-win situation for all involved.
With the Olympic Games in Rio approaching, the Nedbank Running Club, along with Nike, 32GI and Future Life will be supporting some big name athletes in their dream to get to the Games. Prominent amongst those are 1500m specialist Folavio Sehole who recently was runner up in the Tom Thembisa Street Mile; and of course Marathon runners Mapaseka Makhanya (she finished fourth recently in the Shanghai Marathon with a time of 2:37.21), Irvette Van Zyl (who just have a baby) Sibusiso Nzima, Lungile Gongqa (second at the Cape Town Marathon) and Thabiso Coolboy Ngamole, the SA Marathon Champion.