Why Lagos Staged Triathlon Championship

TAIWO ADELU

A Triathlon fiesta facilitated by the Lagos State Sports Commission and organised by the Lagos State Triathlon Association was recently held at two locations in Lagos, Alausa, Ikeja and Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere.

The championship, which featured about 80 athletes, saw athletes competing in cycling, running and swimming. Director General of the Sports Commission, Mr Adewunmi Ogunsanya said the motive behind staging the event is to give athletes in Triathlon, which is regarded as a lesser sports, a sense of belonging.

“We discovered that we have many of our athletes who have the potentials to excel in Triathlon, and we believe that giving them the opportunity to showcase their talents will be a good service to their career and sports development in the state. That is the reason the Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode graciously approved fund for us to organise this competition.

“I am so happy with the enthusiasm showed by the athletes in the first phase of the competition held in Alausa, Ikeja on Sunday where they competed in Duathlon event (cycling and running) and their performance in the last phase at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere points to the fact that we are in the right path.

“I want to assure that the next edition will be better packaged as we will make available clean water for the swimming event of the Triathlon tournament. We will not relent in our efforts to always provide enabling environment for all our athletes to excel, ” the Director General said.

Chief Coach of the association, Lukmon Oyebola said Triathlon is an Iron man race because it is an energy sapping event which can only be done by rugged and fit athletes. He said he was happy that even a France-based athlete, who took part in the first phase in Alausa, was unable to beat some of the Lagos athletes in action.

“Our athletes showed greater potentials to improve on their performance if they are constantly exposed to a Triathlon tournament like this, ” Coach Oyebola said.

In some of the results, Abolaji Fatiro came first in the 36.8km adult male cycling race, while Nadia Cupdupug came first in the female category.

In the Duathlon cycling (3.6km) and running ( 2.7km ) events, Shola Daniel  beat others to the first position in the 7-8 years boys category, while Nifemi Popoola was first in the girls category.

Wale Ibrahim was first in the 6.6km running and 6.4km cycling events (adult male). Abdulrahaman Odunuga came first in the 7-8 years 2.07km running and 3.03km cycling boys events, while Oreofe Oseni won the girls category.

Farouk Akinfamoyin came first in the 9-11 years boys race, while Jelila Olayinka won the girls category.