World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) president, BrunoGozzelino has confirmed that he will be at next week’s 7th Obudu international mountain race and the third African nations mountain running championships to offer moral and technical support to the local organising committee for the race.

Gozzelino, said he has conveyed his desire to be at the Obudu Ranch Resort,venue of the highest paying mountain race in the world to William Archibong,chairman of the LOC for the race.

‘I will be at the 7th Obudu international mountain race and the third African nations mountain running championships which will hold on the 28th of this month. I have already informed the LOC for the race who has assured that every arrangement has been made for me to be in Obudu as well as another perfect organisation of the race’,said Gozzelino who also graced the 5th and the 6th editions of the race in 2009 and 2010 respectively.

‘The Obudu international mountain race is an important event in the calendar of the WMRA because it has helped to draw African athletes to the race in large numbers.

Prior to the race,African athletes have not been competing in the MRA Grand Prix series and the world championships but now we have them in large numbers.An African nation, Eritrea even won the men’s team event at the 2010 WMRA world

championships held in Kanmik,Slovenia. The world mountain running family is grateful to the Governor of Cross River state, (Senator) Liyel Imoke for his continued support for the race’,he said.

Gozzelino also,for the umpteenth time praised the Obudu LOC and the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN) for always meeting up with their obligations towards athletes who participate in the competition. The WMRA is therefore very pleased not only with the world class organisation of the

Obudu mountain race but also the fact that the LOC for the race and the AFN have never owed any athlete any prize money since the inaugural edition of the race in 2005.