COLLABORATION: The partnership between American Express and TSA will support local communities and tennis development in the country

By Sports Reporter

American Express, which is operated in South Africa through its licensee, Nedbank, and Tennis South Africa this week announced a multi-year partnership.

With this partnership, American Express and TSA will support local communities and tennis development in the country. The partnership will enable the continuation of TSA’s transformation and development plan, including the support to high performance players, national t=eams and wheelchair tennis.

The partnership will also enable the development of existing competitions and the revival of certain ones, offering opportunities for tennis players in South Africa.

TSA’s competitions will be renamed as American Express National Club Champs, American Express Junior Nationals, American Express Super 8 Junior Series Race and American Express wheelchair tennis programme.

American Express Card Members will be offered exclusive benefits during TSA Championships and events including access to presales and reserved seating. 

Additionally, at selected venues, Card Members will enjoy access to American Express lounges which provide an exclusive space to relax and enjoy the excitement of the tournaments.

“Tennis has been on an upward trajectory, and to further grow the sport, it is crucial for us to collaborate with recognized brands that elevate the overall experience for both customers and fans, surpassing their expectations. We look forward to working with American Express and creating once-in-a-lifetime experiences for the tennis fans in South Africa”, said Gavin Crookes, President of Tennis South Africa.

Khensani Nobanda, Group Executive of Nedbank Group Marketing and Corporate Affairs, echoed Crookes’ statement saying “Nedbank has extensive first-hand experience of the power of collaborative partnerships to bring about meaningful change.

We are proud to partner with Tennis South Africa as this collaboration reflects our shared vision of supporting local communities while enhancing Card Members’ experience. We look forward to witnessing the impact of this partnership on tennis development in South Africa.” 

“American Express has a long history of supporting tennis globally. We are delighted to bring our love of the game to South Africa and support local communities and tennis development in the country.

We are also excited to provide our Card Members and tennis fans an enhanced experience both on and off court and we look forward to showing why tennis is better with Amex”, said Briana Wilsey, Vice President and General Manager of Global Network Services EMEA at American Express.

American Express in South Africa is operated through its local licensee, Nedbank, pursuant to a license granted by American Express.

Tennis South Africa (TSA) is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in South Africa. It is a not-for-profit organization that invests its proceeds to promote and develop the growth of tennis, from grassroots to professional levels, and to raise funds for and on behalf of tennis players and the game of tennis within the Republic of South Africa. TSA is affiliated with both the International Tennis Federation and the Confederation of African Tennis.

Nedbank Group is one of the largest financial services groups in Africa, offering wholesale and retail banking, as well as insurance, asset management and wealth management services and solutions. In South Africa, Nedbank has a strong franchise evidenced by a 19% deposit and 19% advances market share.

Outside South Africa the bank operate in five countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), through subsidiaries and banks in Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini and Zimbabwe with 7,6 million clients and manage R1,2 trillion worth of assets.

American Express® Cards is operated under licence in South Africa by Nedbank Ltd Reg No 1951/000009/06. Licensed financial services and registered credit provider (NCRCP16).

ASSEFA TO TAKE LONDON BY STORM

Golden age: Three of the four fastest women in history will compete in the historic marathon

By Sports Reporter

World record holder Tigst Assefa heads a high-class field in the women’s elite race at the London Marathon.

The Ethiopian’s stunning two hours, 11 minutes and 53 seconds at the 2023 Berlin Marathon took more than two minutes off the previous record of 2:14.04 set by Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei.

With Kosgei and fellow Kenyan Ruth Chepngetich also running, three of the four fastest women in history will compete in London.

The race takes place on 21 April.  The women’s-only world record stands at 2:17:01 and was set by another Kenyan, Mary Keitany, at the 2017 London Marathon.

That record could fall with Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya and Assefa’s fellow Ethiopian Yalemzerf Yehualaw, winner in London in 2022, also among the group capable of chasing it down.  “We are in a golden age of women’s marathon running,” Hugh Brasher, event director of the London Marathon, said.

“Despite this, the women’s-only world record of 2:17:01, set by the great Mary Keitany here at the London Marathon in 2017, has amazingly stayed intact.  “However, I suspect that with Tigst Assefa, Brigid Kosgei and the likes of Ruth Chepngetich, Peres Jepchirchir and Yalemzerf Yehualaw in the field and where a total of 10 women have run under two hours 17 minutes and 30 seconds, Keitany’s world record is going to be under serious threat at the 2024 London Marathon.”

New York City Marathon champion Tamirat Tola headlines the men’s field.

The Ethiopian will be up against fellow countryman Mosinet Geremew, the seventh fastest man in history, and Kenya’s Alexander Mutiso Munyao, who finished second at the 2023 Valencia Marathon. 

Emile Cairess is the leading Briton in the men’s field. He became the third-fastest Briton in history when he ran 2:08:07 at last year’s London Marathon.

Marc Scott, bronze medallist over 3000m at 2022 World Indoor Championships, will make his marathon debut.

The London Marathon is to become the first marathon in the world to offer equal prize money for its wheelchair and able-bodied races.

 An increase of $54,500 (£43,000) 1 021 112 South African Rand has taken the wheelchair prize fund to $308,000 (£243,000) – matching that available to the able-bodied athletes.

All winners in the elite races of this year’s London Marathon will receive $55,000 (£43,500)1 030 480 South African Rand.

The London Marathon wheelchair races, won by Switzerland’s five-time champion Marcel Hug and Australia’s Madison de Rozario last year, were already the richest in the world.

London Marathon event director Hugh Brasher said: “We are delighted to continue our commitment to disability sport with this landmark move that ensures the prize money available to our elite wheelchair athletes is exactly the same as for those in the able-bodied elite races.

“We have made great strides in recent years towards our ambition to make the London Marathon the most diverse and equitable marathon in the world and this is another important step towards achieving that goal.”