SAN FRANCISCO, November 23, (THEWILL) – Officials of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) led by Olamide Abayomi George are set for a first-of-its-kind road race in Ogbomosho tagged the Ogbomosho Marathon.
The marathon is a 10km road race which the organisers claim to be the first official road race that will be organised in the South West town of Ogbomosho. The Federation noted at the weekend that they will be on ground to ensure a successful event.
Niyi Beyioku, Secretary-General of the AFN, was in lively spirits about the prospects of the marathons the Federation was organising saying they provided opportunities to both entrench a road-running culture and source athletic talents that abound in the country.
“The race has received the endorsement from the AFN and we are delighted that it is one that is strictly restricted to athletes around Ogbomosho and its environs which is a bold move to create the culture of road running in that part of the country as well as unearth talents that can be groomed.
“This is one of the reasons the race got the nod from the AFN. The AFN will dispatch its technical officials led by Gabriel Okon to help in the technical organisation of the race.”
Included in the dignitaries expected at the event are Sunday Dare, the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Seyi Makinde, Oyo State Governor, Olamide George, Acting President AFN, Amos Adamu, former Director of Sports Development in the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development amongst several past commissioners under the Alao Akala administration in Oyo State.
Traditional leaders were not left out. They will be led by the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Jimoh Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, CFR who will be accompanied by other traditional rulers in the Ogbomoso zone as royal fathers of the day.
In managing the intended participants, the organisers have confirmed that over a thousand athletes across the Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas in Ogbomoso zone have registered for the Race.
Prince Oyebamiji Aderemi Joy, who is chairman of the organising committee, confirmed that everything is in place for the race to hold as scheduled this Saturday.
Oyebamiji said registration for the marathon was free as deliberate efforts were made to discover hidden talents and also promote physical and social wellbeing of the people.
