Six Okpekpe athletes earn N8m windfall News

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Six Okpekpe athletes earn N8m windfall

By Daily Sports Nigeria on July 30, 2026

Six indigenous athletes from Okpekpe have earned a combined N8m in prize money from this year’s Okpekpe International 10km Road Race, in what organisers describe as proof that the event is delivering lasting benefits to its host community, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The prize money, credited directly into the athletes’ bank accounts last week, was presented under a special fund reserved exclusively for indigenous athletes from Okpekpe, and was introduced to ensure the community shares directly in the success of the race while inspiring young people to embrace athletics.

James Raphael and Jessica Matthew, who claimed the men’s and women’s titles respectively, each earned N1.5m. Innocent Odamah and Loveth Joseph, who finished second in the men’s and women’s categories, received N1.3m apiece, while Abuke Nathaniel and Bose Etsekumhe, who placed third, collected N1.2m each.

It was the first time all six athletes had earned more than N1m in prize money from athletics.

The community prize fund was sponsored by businessman and Chairman of Dan Oil, Idris Umar, and Nigeria’s Minister of Niger Delta Development, Abubakar Momoh, in partnership with race promoter, Mike Itemuagbor.

A prominent son of Okpekpe, Omokhagbor Sixtus, who has been involved with the race since its inception in 2013, said the rewards represented more than financial incentives.

“We sincerely appreciate Mike Itemuagbor, Idris Umar and Hon. Abubakar Momoh for this great initiative and for creating an opportunity that has lifted six Okpekpe athletes to millionaire status,” he said. “This is not just a victory for the athletes but a moment of pride for the entire Okpekpe community.”

Itemuagbor said the initiative reflected the philosophy on which the race was founded.

“The Okpekpe Road Race has always been about more than elite competition. From the beginning, our vision has been to use sport as a tool for development by creating opportunities for our people and ensuring that the host community benefits directly from the global recognition the race has attracted,” he said.

Source Punch Ng

Posted July 30, 2026