In a significant boost for Pakistani athletics, Mega Motor Company (MMC), the official partner of the global electric vehicle giant BYD in Pakistan, has pledged to sponsor the country's leading running talent for the prestigious London Marathon in 2026. This landmark commitment was unveiled at the grand closing ceremony of the BYD Karachi Marathon, a historic event that has placed Pakistan on the world's long-distance running map.
Karachi Marathon Sets a Historic Precedent
The announcement followed the resounding success of Pakistan's first-ever World Athletics–certified long-distance running event. The Karachi Marathon witnessed an impressive gathering of over 7,000 athletes from across the nation, joined by more than 120 international participants representing over 25 countries. The event showcased exceptional domestic talent, with Mr. Israr Khattak emerging as the top male finisher with a time of 2 hours and 39 minutes. The women's category was won by Ms. Sara Lodhi, who completed the challenging course in 3 hours and 33 minutes.
Substantial cash prizes were awarded to the top performers, incentivizing excellence in the sport:
- First Place: PKR 500,000
- Second Place: PKR 250,000
- Third Place: PKR 125,000
A Vision Aligned with Resilience and Sustainability
Addressing the ceremony, Danish Khaliq, Vice President of Sales & Strategy at BYD Pakistan – MMC, expressed immense pride. "This is a proud moment for Pakistan, as Karachi takes its place alongside the global community of world-class running events," he stated. He highlighted the synergy between BYD's vision as the World’s No. 1 New Energy Vehicles (NEV) brand and the spirit of marathon running, both championing sustainability and forward momentum. "Through this shared vision, MMC is proud to support athletes and enthusiasts to showcase Pakistan’s ambition and resilience to the world," Khaliq added.
Building a Long-Term Legacy for Pakistani Sports
Shoaib Nizami, CEO of Sports in Pakistan and Race Director of the Karachi Marathon, emphasized the transformative impact of the partnership. "This is our third year of hosting an event of this scale, and with BYD’s support, we were able to take it to the next level," he commented. Nizami appreciated BYD's role in uniting the national running community through various initiatives and expressed hope that this long-term partnership would help establish marathon running as a mainstream sport in Pakistan.
This initiative builds upon MMC's legacy of nurturing local talent, previously demonstrated through its HBL PSL partnership. The collaboration extends beyond mere sponsorship; it aims to empower Pakistan's youth by promoting determination and well-being. The ultimate goal, aligned with Vision 2032, is to prepare Pakistani athletes to qualify and compete at the Olympic level, inspiring a new generation to believe in the nation's limitless potential on the global stage.
