Sadio, Akusho Win 2021 Bigi Abeokuta Marathon Race

By Olanrewaju Akojede on November 14, 2021

Cross River’s Ismael Sadio has emerged the champion of Bigi Abeokuta Marathon race held on on Saturday.

He returned a time of 31: 03: 81 to hit his first ever win at a marathon major.

In the women’s race, Plateau runners took the prime positions as Rose Akusho, with 36: 33: 30, once again won, thus completing a record three wins in Nigerian marathons.

Her compatriots, Vera Yohanna, came second with a time of 37:10:10, while Patience Dalyop came third with 37:04:02.

For the Male wheelchair race, Sefiu Ojeleye took the first position, Jelili Akanni came second, while Shola Opaleye emerged third.

The female wheelchair race had Olajumoke Olajide, Chika Enwerem, Nofisat Adefala in first, second and third positions, respectively.

The winner of the 10km race, Sadio, a first time winner in any organised marathon, told the News  Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that it was a dream come true, as he had to relocate from Calabar to Plateau to prepare for the race.

“For me, having any chance at winning any marathon and dislodge the Plateau runners involved sacrifice as I had to relocate to Plateau to run along with the indigenes.

“This is a huge honour for me because I can see the reward for my sacrifice,” he said.

For Akusho, the winner of the female race, it is a familiar terrain for her as she had been running since she was just 11 years old.

Akusho told NAN that she would continue to run marathon races till she hits the biggest stage in the Olymipics.

“Thank God, I am able to win today, but this is not my target; I have other marathon races ahead which I need to prepare for.

“I am targeting the Olympics; may be I can win medals for Nigeria,” she said.

NAN reports that the high point of the game was the children runners who also made it to the podium and were rewarded with trips to Kenya to be sponsored by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affars, Mr Afolabi Afuape.

Afuape, in a brief remarks, lauded the kid runners for their bravery in competing with the older runners, adding that he would borrow a leaf from the notable marathon winning countries to support them.

“I think it is high time Nigeria started to borrow a leaf from the achievements of the Kenyans and the Ethiopians in their developmental agenda for their marathoners.

“They usually catch them young and nurture them which I will also like to copy by sponsoring these kids to Kenya to understudy the runners. The sponsorships will be fully funded me,” he said.

The Secretary to the Ogun Government, Tokunbo Alabi, also announced a cash reward of N500,000 for the wheelchair runners.

The prizes for the race include 2,000 dollars for the overall winner, while the first and second runner-up will receive 1,500 dollars and 1,000 dollars respectively.

In the special category, the overall winner will receive N500,000, while the first runner-up and second runner-up will receive N300,000 and N100,000, respectively. (NAN)

Source Daily Sports

Posted November 14, 2021


 

You may also like...
Makinde Opens GSM Tennis Tournament, Says ‘We Want...

I’ll score more goals says Emenike

German Clubs Agree Plans To Allow Fans To...

Misfiring Mane headlines Bayern’s woes ahead of Leverkusen...

At Torch of Unity flag off, Osinbajo counts...

Ronaldo’s Brace Fetch Juventus Vicory Over Udinese

 

Latest News NPFL Future: We 've Put To Bed, Rest All The Doubting Thomases ---- GTI's Abubakar Lawal Moyes in talks with Everton over return to club City confident of Aina signing I was ‘poisoned’ before 2022 Australian Open deportation-Djokovic Adesanya gets UFC rival’s backing EPL: West Ham appoint ex-Chelsea boss, Graham Potter, head coach Simon welcomes Chelle PSG make Boniface contact Liverpool join Osimhen race Pereira happy Adesanya rivalry stays in ring Even Salah would struggle at Spurs - Postecoglou 'It's tricky, they fly a lot' - Arteta on EFL Cup balls

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (55,226 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (46,378 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (44,420 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (44,064 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (44,000 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (43,976 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (43,807 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (43,371 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (42,445 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (41,107 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (39,556 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (38,981 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media