By Jude Opara, Abuja
The National Sports Commission (NSC) in conjunction with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) have concluded arrangements for the Africa Road Running Race, slated to take place in Lagos.
Addressing a world press conference in Abuja, Head of Road Race Running at the IAAF, Alexis Punzi Cisternino said the race, which is the first of its kind to take place in Africa is a corporate event and not a running competition for career athletes.
Cisternino added that the world atheltics body decided to endorse the championship because of the massive sporting developments going on in Nigeria and Africa in general.
He added that the road race was first introduced in the 70s and later the second edition was in the 80s while at the turn of the 2022 and 2023, the event was given a new vent with the likes of the London City race.
“We have taken interest in the developmental strides of Nigeria in road races and marathons, that is one of the reasons we have endorsed the Lagos road race. There will also be a technical workshop which will last for two days, to further deepen sports in Africa.
“We want to ensure that going forward, the 10 km marathon in Abuja next year will be the same as what is going to take place in Sydney”.
In his remarks, Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko said the Commission decided to key into the championship because it is in line with its vision and Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Dikko further assured that the NSC must be intentional in developing sports in the country, especially with the road race which he said has come to be in vogue across different cities of the country.
“Every stakeholder should join hands to encourage the development of sports in the country. The NSC is working hard to reactivate our long race training centers in Plateau, Taraba and Adamawa.
“It’s our hope that the race will encourage many other people to embrace road running because that is now getting attraction across the world. I’m happy that in Nigeria many cities have embraced marathons like Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, Kaduna as well as the popular Okpekpe marathon”.
The NSC boss also revealed that there will be various prices for both the local and foreign participants.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade said they are determined to get all Athletics Federations in Africa, as well as corporate organizations to be part of the Lagos road race.
Olopade equally eulogized the IAAF for choosing Nigeria ahead of many other deserving African countries for the first ever Road race in Africa.
“It’s a thing of honour that the World Athletic Federation chose Nigeria for the championship, instead of going to other countries like South Africa or Kenya”.
Second Vice President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Solomon Ogba in his introduction said the championship was slated to further open up Nigeria and Lagos city in particular as the next destination for sporting activities.
Ogba added that the IAAF Race will take place in Lagos shortly after the popular Lagos marathon race slated to take place in February, 2026.
