An undergraduate at Aliko Dangote University of Science And Technology, Musbahu Hamza has disclosed that he is eager to achieve a world standard time of one hour seven minutes in the half-marathon.
Hamza said as much during an exclusive interview with Sports247 after completing this year’s Premium Trust Bank Half-marathon in Abuja on Saturday, which he described as an eye-opener for him.
Though he finished in a time of one hour 18 minutes, the youngster said he had been encouraged to aspire for a greater impact, as it was the first day he would run against people who are not students.
Hamza disclosed, “Allahamdullah. I tried my best, and my time was one hour 18 minutes. I am happy that I participated, because I gained a lot of experience from the race.
“Before now, I did not know that a student can participate in this event. I previously tried to register for an international race, but I was not selected.
“I then had to focus on NUGA, until someone told me it’s the same category with other races. That encouraged me to look for bigger competitions, but I then hard problems of money.”
Hamza continued by revealing that the issue of financial challenges in trying to exhibit his running talent came to an end when he was introduced to Premium Trust Bank Half-marathon, which has now helped him to start thinking big.
“Someone introduced me to this competition, and I was told that they would help me in a little way; and they truly did. So, I am grateful for that.
“I am now targetting the world mark. Last year, I saw that the first position was one hour seven minutes, and the second was one hour eight minutes,” Hsnza noted.
The amiable lad concluded by pointing out that the experience he gained from participating in Saturday’s race has opened his eyes to the potentials that are deep inside him, and he thanked Premium Trust Bank for making it possible.
“I am now telling myself that I can do better than this performance, and I am happy with how Premium Trust Bank made it possible for me to plan for the future.
“I am also happy with the way Premium Trust Bank are encouraging us with good welfare packages, the things they give us to go home with, the security and all their help. I am really happy for all of that,” Hamza eulogised.
