Obiekwe decries demise of Lagos Marathon
Nigeria’s sole representative at international marathon races, Esther Obiekwe has described the absence of a world class marathon in Nigeria and indeed Lagos as a disappointment adding that it represented an embarrassment for Lagos aspiring to be a mega City.
Lagos Marathon
Obiekwe, a banker by profession and a keen marathon enthusiast, has participated in marathons around the world and next year, she will be at the Boston marathon. According to her the absence of a world class marathon in Nigeria is like shutting the country out of business and image building opportunities.
“I believe it is a real shame Lagos does not have a marathon. In fact, Lagos is the world’s largest city without a marathon, and in fact it can be said having a marathon is part of the credentials of a world class city..
“I ran in both Athens, Greece and Dubai marathons this past year. They both were world class races, superbly organized with outstanding routes and strong support from the local populace. The city embraces the race and the visitors.
“Marathons are great for cities, they attract positive press coverage, they invite foreign visitors, they bring in direct investment into hotels, restaurants, shops. And they showcase a city and culture and the skills in organization of a society,” Obiekwe argued.
For a couple of years mobile telecom firms MTN and Globacom supported the Lagos International Half Marathon. However, Obiekwe argued that Lagos deserves much more than that.
“ The “marathons” referred to were actually half-marathons. Just because a race says “marathon” does not make it a marathon! It has to be 42.2 km to be classified as a marathon.”
She added that it was her ambition to help organise a world class marathon in Lagos in the near future.
“It is one of my objectives to organize and bring a world class marathon to Lagos. WE DESERVE IT. If Cairo, Nairobi, Amman, can have marathons, so can we. And we shall,”she stressed.
Gusau takes athletics’ case to National Assembly
Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, vice president, Ibrahim Gasau has not been visible in the athletics circle for a long while. But he has an explanation and that is, he is fighting his way to the National Assembly come May to make a good representation for the sport.
Gasau, a long time member of the AFN declared that athletics is major sport in Nigeria and therefore deserves all the patronage by government and corporate bodies. He said that this is message he is taking to the National Assembly.
“I’ve been away from the athletics circle, because I’m running for the House of Representatives. When I get there, my major priority will be to fight for the improvement of the sport. It has potentials to lift the image of the country just like it is doing for Jamaica.
“Last year the president and I worked very hard to get funding for the sport. And this is something we would take to another level once we are done with politics,” said the Kebbi-born Gusau.
