Government supports upcoming Dili International Marathon and Tour de Timor
Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and
Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste
Dili, August 9th, 2017
Government supports upcoming Dili International Marathon and Tour de Timor
The Government supports Timor-Leste’s two premier international sporting events to be held in the coming weeks. The 2017 Dili International Marathon will be run on the 19th of August followed by the 2017 Tour de Timor multi day mountain bike race beginning on the 19th of September and concluding the 23rd of September.
Secretary of State for Youth and Sports, H.E. Leovigildo Hornay said “The Government of Timor-Leste gives its strong support for the Dili International Marathon and for the Tour de Timor ... these two major events will be promoting Timor-Leste’s tourism potential to the world and also will contribute to promote peace and social cohesion.”
Both events are organized by ‘Noble Timor’ chaired by former President and Nobel Laureate, H.E. Dr. José Ramos-Horta, who initiated the events in 2009 and 2010 as a part of his ‘Dili, City of Peace’ campaign. Dr. Ramos-Horta noted the potential of the events to “showcase Timor-Leste’s natural beauty, as well as our warm and welcoming people” and said “the events have always promoted peace and new relationships by bringing people together.”
Over 5,000 runners are expected to participate across the three events that comprise the Dili International Marathon on the 19th of August. A full marathon [42.195 kms] and a half marathon [21.0975 kms] will be conducted on a fully accredited and professionally timed course that takes in the picturesque waterfront of Dili’s central areas. The marathon is complemented by a 5-kilometre ‘Run for Peace’ which will see thousands of Timorese Junior and Senior High school students take to the course, along with families and community groups.
Spokesperson, Minister of State Agio Pereira, thanked Dr. Ramos-Horta and the Noble Timor for their hard work in organizing these important events. He explained that “Besides advancing sport, providing economic opportunities and boosting tourism these events have a proven history as catalysts for shifting perceptions about our country and strengthening peace, harmony and national pride.” On behalf of the Government he extended a warm welcome to all international visitors coming to Timor-Leste to take part.ENDS
More information can be found at www.diliinternationalmarathon.com and www.tourdetimor.com
