Dar es Salaam Goat Races raise $490,000 for charities

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania - The annual charity event, Dar es Salaam Charity Goat Races has announced that it has raised over Tsh795 million ($487,287) since the inception of the event for charities. The Annual Charity Goat Races will be held on Saturday 7th June 2014.

The Committee Chair, Karen Stanley told East African Business Week over 70 small Tanzanian charities and organizations have benefited since the race was introduced in 2001.

“Last year we raised a record Tsh135 million ($82,755) for 16 organizations. This year we hope to raise more money as there are so many worthwhile causes in need of funds,” She said.

Stanley said a record 4,700 people participated last year, drawn by the opportunity to witness the extraordinary site of goats racing around a track. They also took part in the fancy dress competition and betting.

The theme for year’s event is ‘The Great Goatsby’ which provides inspiration to everyone to put together an outfit and join our fancy dress parades, with great prizes on offer for the best costume, group and hat, she said.

“Swiss Air is offering two business class flights to Europe for two lucky winners. There are many other wonderful prizes to be won,” she said.

Children are guaranteed to have a great time, at a special Kids’Area. All the activities, including bouncy castles, face painting, races, art activities and the Kid’s Fancy Dress Parade are free once the Tsh5,000 ($3.065) entrance fee has been paid.

The Dar es Salaam Charity Goat Races is organized by a committee of volunteers and the support of its many sponsors, who provide cash and expertise.

According to Stanley, this year there are some new companies who have come on board as race owners including; Achelis, Tigo and CBA. The generosity of the sponsors is vital to the Goat Races.

“We could not do it without the sponsors, particularly those who sponsor a race,” she said.

She said there will be seven races. Each race is sponsored by a Race Owner. This year’s Race Owners are Southern Sun Hotel, Coca-Cola, Tanzanian Breweries Limited, Symbion, Achelis, Tigo and the Commercial Bank of Africa (CBA).

The Goat Races first began in Dar es Salaam in 2001 thanks to founder Paul Joynson-Hicks. He brought the idea from Uganda where some members of the business community had come up with this novel way of raising money for charity.

The Goat Races was modeled (vaguely) on the UK Royal Ascot horse races.

By Leonard Magomba, Sunday, March 16th, 2014


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