The ancient city of Ogbomosho was a beehive of activities on Saturday 28th November when athletes in their large numbers troop out to participate in the maiden edition of Ogbomoso 10km race.
From the start point ‘welcome to Ogbomosho to the end, ‘Recreation club’, over 500 athletes raced through the land receiving envious glances from all the thrilled spectators and onlookers.
Expressing his delight at the turn out of the youth and the accompanied enthusiasm, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare who was ably represented by his media aide, Kola Daniel commended the organisers of the race and reassured his commitment to the development of sports at the grassroots level.
In his words, “The Minister believes in the talents and potentials we have in the country and he is committed to making this event hold annually “.
He reemphasized the need to be consistent in the focus on the grassroots in a bid to discover more talents that will make the country proud in no distant future.
Earlier in his remarks, the chairman of the organising committee, Prince Oyebamiji Aderemi Joy appreciated all the stakeholders and especially the Minister of Youth and Sports development efforts in making the event a reality.
Oyebamiji pointed out that the event is aimed at discovering hidden talents in Ogbomosho and while it is poised to make it an every year event, he expressed optimism that the next edition will better all expectations as he called on government and corporate organizations for sponsors in order to help in fulfilling their long term plans.
Honorable Olamide George, the acting president of Athletics Federation of Nigeria revealed that a lot of talents have been discovered in the marathon and believe that subsequent outings will be more colorful as efforts will be made in reaching out to private sectors with a view to strengthening the scope of the event.
Former Director of Sports Kwara State and CEO Kazolinks Sports Consult, a partner to the marathon noted that the event has lived up to its expectations even as maiden edition hoping that the gains from the first outing will create leverage in organising the race years to come.
The representative of the Commissioner of Youth and Sports development in Oyo State, Honourable Oguntoye Isaac lauded the organizers for the initiative as he urges all the athletes to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship.
Winners of the male category from first to fifth positions include Ramon Kareem, Adetiba A Michael, Adeyemi Segun,
Akinlade Francis and Adetona Ezekiel who all took home prize monies of fifty, forty, thirty, twenty and ten thousands naira respectively as a reward for their outstanding performances.
Ajayi Mary had also led the pack in the female section with Bolaji Esther, Adegboyega Eunice, Olayinka Rukayat
Jimoh Abike trailing behind her respectively to cart home the same prize monies with that of their male counterpart.
Guests at the event include former Director-General, National Sports Commission and former sole administrator of NFF, Dr. Amos Adamu, Alhaji Saka Bello Aremo-ile, Chairman, Ogbomoso Parapo, and Chief Adeyemi Adedokun who represented the family of the late Samuel Ladoke Akintola.
Honorable Ibrahim Ajagbe Toskay, Chairman Ogbomoso North local government, Honourable Oyeniyi Oyedokun Timothy, Chairman Ogbomoso South local government, HRH Oba Adedeji Olubayo, Alarolu of Arolu, HRH Oba John Akinkunmi Areo, Olowode of Owode, HRH Oba John Akin Ayegboyin Alabewo of Abewo were all among top dignitaries at the historic event.
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