Ambode Flags Off Countdown To 2017 Lagos City Marathon

TAIWO ADELU

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode (middle) with other officials at the press conference to herald the second edition of Access Bank Lagos City Marathon at Governor’s Office, Alausa, Ikeja, Sunday night

The Governor of Lagos, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode Sunday night flagged off countdown to the second edition of Access Bank Lagos City Marathon with a bold statement that the world will see a better packaged championship come Saturday, 11 February, 2017.

In a late night press conference held at the Governor’s Office, Alausa, Ikeja, the Governor disclosed that the marathon in its second edition will be unique because it is one of the events packaged to celebrate 50th anniversary of Lagos State next year.

He said the experience acquired during the first edition will bear on the organisation of the second edition, adding that more innovations will be introduced to the event to make it a world class championship.

“We did something unprecedented in the history of Lagos when we put together the first edition of the marathon on 6 February, 2016 within six weeks. The tournament recorded over 30,000 attendance, but the next edition in February next year will feature 50,000 participants across the world.

“We planned to bring to Lagos Top 10 world marathoners (men and women) to add values to what we are doing, ” said the Governor.

Some of the expected athletes include Sammy Kitwaic, Daniel Kinyua, Marius Kimutai, Mark Kovir and Mark Kosqei all Kenyan long distance runner.

Others are German lady, Fate Tola, Ethiopian Mamitu Dasic and Kenyan Sarah Chebet.

Ambode said that the government will deploy all resources within its power to ensure hitch free organisation of the marathon as plan is underway to secure International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) Label Status for the competition.

“We have special incentive for all the volunteers who we will give certificates of participation personally signed by me. There will be mega vision across the city of Lagos on the day of the race, while proceedings will be televise live across the world, ” the Governor said.

To the Managing Director of Access Bank, Mr Herbert Wigwe, one of the reasons the bank is partnering with the government to organise the marathon race is to communicate to the world that Lagos and indeed Nigeria are secured. He added that the long time plan is to push the ranking of the competition to Top 10 in the world.

President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Solomon Ogba said he will be going to Dubai before this week runs out to sign contracts that will facilitate the participation of the Top 10 stars coming for the Lagos City Marathon.