After having a fruitful 2020, the long distance runner, Joshua Chaptegei started 2021 with huge endorsement.
The world record breaker, Joshua entered into one year partnership with Uganda tourism board and he is named an Ambassador of UTB.
After being announced as the Uganda’s tourism Ambassador through sports sector by UTB CEO Lilly Ajarova at the event held at Uganda Gold Course Club on Wednesday, 10, February, 2021, The 2020 Monaco Diamond League champion, expressed his gratitude to be ambassador of tourism of his country.
“I am deeply grateful to the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) for having chosen me for this huge responsibility, to be my country’s Tourism Ambassador,” a happy Cheptegei stated in opening remarks.
“It is a responsibility that I accept with all humility. It is both a challenge; I now know more and more Ugandans will be looking up to me, but it is also a blessing and a motivation because I know more and more Ugandans will now be praying for me to win.
“But perhaps even more important, I am now even more motivated to give every race my all, because I know every win, is not just for me- but it is a win for every of the 700,000 Ugandans employed in the tourism sector, whose livelihoods have been put at stake by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Having been born and raised in the mountainous Kapchorwa district in the Sebei sub-region on the slopes of Mountain Elgon, close to the famous Sipi Falls, I am deeply aware of the impact of tourism on livelihoods, from the top to the very bottom of the chain. I know what tourism can do for the youth, women groups and even the uneducated. There is room for everyone to transform their lives.
“Much as Uganda is well endowed, it is not enough, if the world does not know about it. It is our responsibility as Ugandans to shout on top of the mountains and down in the valleys to everybody across the world such that we attract more and visitors.
“I look forward to sharing my Ugandan story to the rest of the world. In the same breath, I wish to call upon, every Ugandan, especially those in the diaspora to make it a point to visit and discover more about this our country.” Cheptegei speech.
The Tourism Minister Retired Colonel Hon. Tom Butime congratulated UTB and Cheptegei upon reaching a partnership.
“I am very happy for being on this jovial occasion of unveiling Cheptegei as our Ambassador., as you have heard from his statement, he is from Uganda, at least we are not hiring ambassadors from other countries.”
“As I said, he is a sports celebrity and we take pride for having Ugandans who are Sports celebrities, but when you become successful, other responsibilities are usually given to you.” Minister said.
Cheptegei joined Musician, Edrisa Musuza aka Eddy Kenzo who was unveiled last year as the UTB ambassador.
The Valencia championship world record setter in 10000m, in this endorsement, the Tourism Board will be helping him in all his preparations, facilitating his inland and outside travels, training and he will be having ticket to reach any game park, and other sceneries in the country, branding his team.
In return, Cheptegei will promote destination Uganda during national and international engagements, accept UTB to use his images and videos, attracting his peers to visit Uganda, announcing UTB as his tourism official partner in all his press conferences and others, allow the Board to Use his social media platforms in promoting tourism.