By Goodness Ndukuba, Akwa on July 22, 2023

The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) has called on Nigerians to actively participate in sporting events, particularly in marathon, a body fitness and highly money earning world sport.

Tony Nezianya, Public Relations Officer of NOC made the call at the 2nd edition of the Onitsha City Marathon (OCM) World Press Conference in Onitsha at the weekend where the organisers, unveiled three partners ahead of Sept. 30, 2023, 21km Marathon race in the Anambra state's foremost commercial city.

He said that NOC is interested in marathon sport, a major event of the Olympics movement.

"I encourage Nigerians to develop interest in sports because it is one of the proactive steps that will lift us out of the financial quagmire we have found ourselves in Nigeria today.

"Many athletes world over high income earnings come from marathon. I urge Nigerians to increase interest in the sport because we can earn our living from it," Nezianya said.

According to him, the marathon race is also a build up to the Onitsha Ofala Festival of Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe in October.

"I am here in my capacity as both member of the Onitsha Ofala Festival and Olympic movement which Mr Patrick Estate Onyedum, Chairman of Anambra State Sports Commission is also an active member," Nezianya said.

Chief Obiora Etukokwu, Ubor of Onitsha who represented the Obi of Onitsha commended the Onitsha Business School for their initiative in organising the race.

He said that Onitsha monarch and his Cabinet are proud of the organisers of the event.

He noted that the Palace and citizens of Onitsha look forward with pride and expectation for the race which he described as ‘our own’.

At an elaborate World Press Conference, Prof. Segun Segbosan, a Director at Onitsha Business School – the organisers of the Onitsha City Marathon (OCM) tagged "A Race of Distinction" disclosed that the Marathon race is organised as a prelude to the Ofala Festival of Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe.

He said that, unlike the 2019 edition, this year’s edition has enjoyed the full endorsement and backing of the Anambra state government headed by Gov. Chukwuma Soludo.

Sogbesan further said that the race is aimed at putting Onitsha in front of the sporting world, stressing that his outfit is stopping at nothing in delivering a flawless and successful Marathon race.

“Besides, we have decided to encourage Anambra indigenes in the race. To this end, 10 Anambra or Onitsha citizens to finish the race will be rewarded,” Sogbesan said.

Patrick Estate Onyedum, Chairman of Anambra State Sports Commission, expressed happiness with the synergy between the organisers and his commission, as well as Anambra state government.

Onyedum, a former athlete and ex-board member of AFN said he was confident of the success of the race.

Deputy Project Manager of OCM, Philip Balepo, revealed that organisers will on Saturday, July 22, begin a sensitisation exercise within Onitsha, starting from the Chuba Ikpeazu Stadium, Onitsha.

The Veteran journalist added that 50 viewing centres will be provided within the state during the race.

“This is to ensure that all citizens of the state get an opportunity to watch the race even without being present at the starting point, end point or even within the routes of the race,” Balepo affirmed.

The partners are Afia TV as broadcast Rights owners, Y&T Sports as a Technical partner and GLS Project as Marketing Partner.

Afia TV is owned by former NBC Director General, Emeka Mba while GLS Projects is owned by renowned FIFA Players licenced Agent John Shittu who also managed former Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel; Liberian President, George Opong Weah as a footballer and another former Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo.

Marketing Partners, GLS, Projects, represented by Seun Olayiwola, assured that funds won’t be a hindrance towards the success of the race.

Broadcast right holders, Afia TV said they would use the race to change the narrative that tends to portray the commercial city of Onitsha in a negative perspective.

“We’ve shot an aerial view of Onitsha, starting from the Bridge Head, and people were surprised that it was indeed Onitsha. They felt it was Jabi, in Abuja.

“We want to change all that negative narrative about Onitsha and by extension, Anambra state”, Nnamdi Obanya, a representative of the television outfit said.

Source Daily Sports Nigeria

Posted July 22, 2023

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