The Chief Executive Officer of Nilayo Sports Marketing Company, Hon. Bukola Olopade has described how emotional it is for him to spearhead the organisation of the first-ever JAC Motor Abeokuta 10km Race.
Olopade, a former Commissioner for Sports in Ogun State is an expert when it comes to marathon race packaging in Nigeria, as his Nilayo Sports Marketing Company has been brain behind major races in the country. These include the famous Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, the Remo Utra Race African Championship which holds next month and a host of others.
“The JAC Motor Abeokuta 10km Race is very dear to me,” Olopade told a crowded world press conference held Friday evening at the Conference Hotel, Abeokuta on the eve of the event which takes place on 2 November in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
“Before the inauguration of Governor Dapo Abiodun, I had a privilege to have a private discussion with him where I told His Excellency about the plan to organise the Abeokuta 10km race and the Remo Utra Race. The Governor enthusiastically gave his blessing and even urged and encouraged me to look at the future of bringing full marathon race to our great state.
“Abeokuta is an iconic city which is unique in all aspects in the history of Nigeria and as a son of the soil, bringing this race to my city is a patriotic service I think I must do,” he said.
Olopade was so grateful for the support the race has received from the Government of Ogun State, adding that the support has been so massive going into the race on Saturday.
He disclosed that athletes from no fewer than 18 African countries will compete for the prize monies at stake, noting that the event would not only be about running, but will be spice up with entertainment and funfare.
President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Ibrahim Shehu Gusau, eulogised Olopade for using his company to spread the culture of long distance race across Nigeria. He said that in no distance future most states in the country would embrace organisation of marathon races.