The commissioner for sports in Enugu State, Barrister Lloyd Ike Ekweremadu Jnr has described this Saturday’s international marathon in the capital as a very symbolic event that goes way beyond its normal sporting content and purposes.
Sports247 reports that Barrister Ekweremadu added that the Enugu City Marathon is an integral part of Governor Peter Mbah’s broader plan to revitalise sports in Enugu State as well as position it as a major tourism destination nationally and internationally.
The commissioner added that the long distance race, which comes up this Saturday in The Coal City, will attract elite international and Nigerian athletes, as they converge on the capital to feature in two main races across 42km and 10km, with a ceremonial contest in between.
While highligjting the upcoming race as a world-class event, Ekweremadu noted that the involvement of World Athletics’ officials demonstrates the marathon’s quality and stressed that it is the beginning of what the state government has in store for a major sporting and tourism hub in Africa.
“The Enugu City Marathon is not just another sporting event. It is an integral part of Governor Peter Mbah’s broader plan to rekindle sports, attract global attention to Enugu and create new opportunities through sports and tourism.
“We are bringing the best of the best to Enugu, and the full involvement of World Athletics demonstrates the seriousness and quality attached to this marathon. This is only the beginning.
“Our ambition is for Enugu to become a major sporting and tourism hub. We want the entire continent to hear what is happening here,” said Ekweremadu, who asserted that the marathon is central to the governor’s sports vision for the state.
