Bay poised to renew Ironman sponsorship

Proposed R19m deal on table for next three editions of championship

The Nelson Mandela Bay municipality is gearing up to renew its sponsorship of the Ironman African Championship with a proposed R19m deal on the table.

The recommendation was given the green light by the sport, recreation, arts and culture committee yesterday but a final decision must be made by the council.

The proposed deal is for three years, with funding of R6.765m earmarked for next year’s event, R6.359m for 2025 and R5.977m for 2026.

A report tabled by the department’s acting executive director, Charmaine Williams, recommends that the municipality decreases its funding of the championship by 6% each year due to financial constraints.

According to the report, this year’s event, staged in the

Bay in early March, generated more than R79m in tourism turnover.

“Due to the declining revenue collection over the last two years and the declining state of the sport and recreation infrastructure, it has become necessary to review the current financial sponsorship for this event,” Williams said in the report.

On top of the proposed R19m sponsorship, the metro would also allocate R3.8m for municipal services over the three-year period if the council accepts the recommendation.

Ironman SA managing director Keith Bowler told yesterday’s committee meeting that the franchise was hoping to secure a fixed amount over the three-year period based on the contribution for this year’s event. Bowler said the organisers were considering the possibility of discontinuing the Ironman 70.3 Nelson Mandela Bay SA race, which draws more women entrants.

“We want to look at removing the short-distance 70.3 challenge and go back to the roots of the full-distance race just because of its status and because more people travel to do the full distance,” he said.

The half-triathlon is not funded by the metro.

Pledging their support of the city’s continued sponsorship of the championship, councillors raised concerns about the need to use the event to uplift previously disadvantaged groups.

Northern Alliance councillor Bevan Brown said the city and Ironman needed to look into development initiatives in the lead-up to the race.

“We need to identify these entities which need support,” Brown said.

“We have athletics, cycling and swimming clubs.

“These codes speak to this event and Ironman should sow into them as its social responsibility,” he said.

Through its Ironman4Kidz charity drive engine, the franchise assists 20 charities.

“Currently, the trust assists 20 registered children’s charities throughout SA and [has] to date distributed over R25m to needy and worthy children’s charities,” Williams said.

With entries for the Ironman expected to open 11 months before the race, Bowler said urgency was required to finalise the funding arrangements.

The council is expected to make a final decision on the proposal at its next sitting, scheduled for May 31.