OPEC Fund-sponsored rookie team from East Africa to compete in Vienna City Marathon

April 20, 2023: As the Vienna City Marathon (VCM) is getting ready for its 40th anniversary race, a new rookie team sponsored by the Vienna-based OPEC Fund for International Development is arriving in the city. Two female runners from Ethiopia and two male runners from Kenya will compete in Austria’s biggest running event, demonstrating their skills in front of an international audience. 

The OPEC Fund and the VCM organizers launched the rookie team program last year to provide aspiring runners from developing countries the chance to get a big break at an international event. The Vienna City Marathon typically attracts up to 100,000 spectators and global media coverage.

The OPEC Fund’s 2023 rookie team comprises two female runners, Mamitu Balcha Hey and Zeritu Shawel Tadese, both aged 22, from Ethiopia, and Simon Mwangi, aged 26, and Julius Kariba, aged 35, from Kenya. While the VCM will be the first marathon for the female rookies, their male colleagues have already competed in races in Africa. 

Volker Wagner, the runners’ manager and coach said:

“Without the generous support of the OPEC Fund it would not have been possible for the athletes to compete at an international level. Competing in major races abroad is a significant milestone to build a professional career and an excellent opportunity to create a successful career in sports.”

OPEC Fund Director-General Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa said:

“We are happy and proud to once again support one of the biggest events taking place in our host city Vienna, especially on the VCM’s landmark 40th anniversary year. We wish our rookie team all the best and hope that our invitation inspires similar initiatives around the world.” 

The OPEC Fund’s 2022 Rookie Team runners were able to build on their performance in the 39th edition of the Vienna race to record podium finishes in races across Europe over the past year. This exposure enables them to have opportunities that would be difficult without the OPEC Fund’s initial sponsorship.

This year marks the 13th time that the OPEC Fund has sponsored the VCM. In addition to the professional runners from Africa, a record number of OPEC Fund staff will also participate in various races during the coming weekend.

About the OPEC Fund 

The OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) is the only globally mandated development institution that provides financing from member countries to non-member countries exclusively. The organization works in cooperation with developing country partners and the international development community to stimulate economic growth and social progress in low- and middle-income countries around the world. The OPEC Fund was established in 1976 with a distinct purpose: to drive development, strengthen communities and empower people. Our work is people-centered, focusing on financing projects that meet essential needs, such as food, energy, infrastructure, employment (particularly relating to MSMEs), clean water and sanitation, healthcare and education. To date, the OPEC Fund has committed more than US$24 billion to development projects in over 125 countries with an estimated total project cost of US$190 billion. The OPEC Fund is rated AA+/Outlook Stable by Fitch and AA, Outlook Positive by S&P. Our vision is a world where sustainable development is a reality for all.