Waiting for 2017 Access Bank/Lagos City Marathon! News

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Waiting for 2017 Access Bank/Lagos City Marathon!

By Daily Sports on November 28, 2016

This week the readers and I agreed to take a break from the implications of the long break on the Super Eagles current form and our quest to pick the sole Group B ticket to Russia 2018 World Cup.

However, we have not shifted ground on our call that the team need at least three grade A friendly matches with African or European teams but not the type that would demoralise the flaming indomitable spirit that rages in the team now, but the type that would help build it to the optimum, fire the squad up to continue to show a lot of character when the second term of the qualifiers resume on August 28, 2017. We still stood by our submission that since we have noticed that our opponents come strong in the second half the only antidote for us to them remain involving effective and well thought out neutraliser, which will enable Eagles be absolutely, resolute and really strong at the back. I digress.

We are devoting the page this week to the fast growing Access Bank/Lagos City Marathon second edition. The air is already filled with the frills, thrills, and the gritty as athletes, fans and other major stakeholders are eagerly waiting for the arrival of the 2017 annual competition coming up in February.

The cat to this effect was let out of the bag to the world by His Excellency, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, on November 20, 2016 where he equally gave insights into the bumper packages for the much accepted and fast evolving IAAF sanctioned athletics event he added would bath on February 11, 2017.

Let me state here that the Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, has not hidden his passion for this event since its maiden edition took place on February 6 this year. He told his mammoth audience comprising of international and local athletes, sports persons, ex-internationals, administrators and business moguls that the event has come to stay.

The Governor looks like one not for much talk but finds refuge in the age old adage that says, ‘Action speaks louder than words’ I won’t tag him an action governor yet, but there are indicators that tilt toward such. He has impressed me like his predecessor in some critical sectors and sports is not getting less attention; though that is not to say the road is near yet.

He knows what he wants and goes about it right. He does not delegate powers where he know his capacity in such place would make much difference and bring the ultimate result to the state. This column is still critically following his administration’s antecedents and policies for sports in the state, even as there is no sign yet on sight on his promise to build modern stadia in all the Local Government councils in the state. Let’s leave him at that for another day.

It has also been observed that it seems he does not buy into the fire brigade approach that has sadly become a national norm. For instance, he unveiled a February 11, 2017 outing on November 20, 2016. It shows he believes in planning instead of the other way round. He promised during his closing remarks in the first term of the summit that there will be dramatic improvement in all facets during the second edition. By his early step, it seems he is working towards that target.

True to type, he was at the helm to announce the increased incentives or if you like packages for the fast steaming Access Bank/Lagos City Marathon athletics yearly championship. He knows the gains, importance of sports and the first rate investors that would come along with it, from tourism, you name them. He has nose for business angle of the whole substance and would not want it to be left out of the investment destination for his state. He also knows that the attention of the whole world would be focused on Lagos State for this an all-important IAAF yearly calendar of event.

He has already captailised on it and the airs around it dripping, as well the buildup tremendous. He chose to partner with one of the very viable and strong banks in the country that conforms with the best international standards. The sterling track records singled out Access Bank Plc, as worthy corporate citizen. Their green high standards are never in any doubt as the records are there to vindicate.

A recap, Lagos City Marathon: $50,000 prize money for grabs as 50,000 athletes would take part. Daily Sports your dynamic online portal did not miss the big sporting story and it attracted heavy traffic hit (readership) a pointer to wider acceptance of the Access Bank/Lagos City Marathon and our online newspaper.

The Governor on Sunday, November 20, said no fewer than 50,000 athletes from across the world are expected to participate in the second edition of the championship.

He unequivocally stated this at Lagos House in Ikeja while addressing a world press conference on the marathon, and emphatically said necessary logistics have been put in place to make the event hugely successful, and as well promote the tourism potentials of the state. Fact is Access Bank/Lagos City Marathon is a partnership that works. Access Bank without any prejudice has built for itself, a traditional trade mark of excellence that has stood it poles apart from her closest rivals in the hotly competitive banking industry.

Therefore, the state government knew it and went for Access Bank’s strong tradition of industry and astuteness. This involvement of strong partner in Access Bank Plc no doubt made it a serious annual championship that would grow rapidly in IAAF yearly calendar. The foundation being laid for this championship is strong down. Access Bank is a high profile brand being sort after by Governments, agencies; international bodies and even fellow corporate entities want to partner with it in ventures of large magnitude.

Ambode further revealed that about 33,753 runners including 65 elite marathoners from different parts of the world and over 100 local elite runners participated in the 2016 edition held on February 6 this year, while the marathon was adjudged to be one of the best in the world. He further told his audience that the government was working assiduously to ensure that the 2017 edition of the event billed to hold on Saturday, February 11, 2017 would see radical and major improvement compared to the maiden edition.

Ambode added that as a result of the success of the maiden edition, several individuals and corporate organisations have contacted the organisers of the Marathon to partner towards ensuring a successful tourney, stressing that it would go a long way to engage and empower thousands of Lagosians in various sectors. By this, he spoke the minds of millions who would cash in on this annual event to make fortunes at the end of the day.

The Governor said that the 2017 edition, would also feature the top ten men and women marathoners in the world, who would also be joined by many gold label, silver label and bronze label marathoners from different parts of the world.

He said the appearance fees for gold label runners is $50,000, silver label $20,000 and bronze label $10,000, assuring that invited local and foreign elite runners would be paid 50 per cent of their appearance fee now and balance up when they arrive Lagos for the tourney.

It was gathered that winner of the 2017 Access Bank/Lagos City Marathon, the Governor announced would also go home with a cash prize of $50,000, while second and third place winners will smile home with $40,000 and $30,000 respectively. Let me ask, is there anything more to add to this already mouthwatering package than Marathoners to go all out, train harder so as to redouble your efforts in the competition and learnt how to endure and foremost be patient, imbibe the virtues of a distance runner. The showpiece mounted by Access Bank and Lagos State would be a beauty to behold. The trappings are already in the air. It is one race or sport only the fittest survives the blaze. It is also one event that has no room for pretenders or cheats.

“It will interest you to know that the Access Bank /Lagos City Marathon is ranked 68th in the world presently, however, it is instructive to hear that the state government’s desires go to the top ten in the world and it is what we are working towards with the next episode of the event,” the Governor declared. For the young Marathon to place 68th in the world spoke volumes of its potentials for athletes and the investors. It can be taken further that the future holds great for it. It quality is there. It has set flaming tone and after the forthcoming edition, the road to the top would begin to manifest.

Access Bank has made the almost two years old summit a household name where high flying Marathoners around the globe look forward to competing annually. That is the depth trademarks of the bank with her never say die approach to endeavors it comes out to achieve meaningfully. This yearly Marathon won’t be an exception. Access Bank is experienced on the terrain needless to say Lagos State is in good hands and this partnership will run. The giant has logically concluded ventures with its high repute intact.

It is no hidden fact that the Governor knows the investment goodies the yearly event would bring hence he assumed the position of chief Marketing Officer for his state to ensure that this viable and lofty ideal does not suffer an inch set back because of his hunger to attract investors to the state. The workaholic first citizen of Lagos State taking the back seat, hence he has maintained his front role and frontal step towards the clinical promotion of the promising marathon to the best of his ability.

Hear him again: “Unlike the one held on February 6, this year, where over 30,000 athletes participated, the next edition target is a minimum of 50,000 runners who will take the City of Lagos by storm and put the City on the world map for coming up with such a huge and investor- friendly event.” You can see where the Governor is coming from.

As I did say at the beginning, Ambode is on his marks roundly waiting for the gun shot to set him going. He is not ready for false start like some of his colleagues in different states who their own victims. He wants to use the Access Bank/Lagos City Marathon to drive multi-billion Dollars investment to the state. This is yet another, good thinking, and good product from A...M...B...O!! He has novel ideas rather than kill joy which has been the sing-song for most of his colleagues now greening with envy due to their myopic thinking and outlook.

“We look forward to something exciting happening in Lagos. We are going to use sports as a vehicle to help develop our youths through sports and when you talk about youth development you have to talk about recreational sports, about how you mentally activate younger ones and we just think that this marathon is one of those vehicles that we should use to galvanise sports in younger ones and every Lagosian at large,” Governor Ambode restated.

The Governor also expressed optimism that the success of the first edition and efforts to make next year’s edition bigger, better and awesome as the Lagos City Marathon would soon be branded by the IAAF. “We may get the CAA label before February 11, 2017; this will be another feat. We have put the necessary machinery in place to have a more elaborate start and a grand finish for this edition. There will also be entertainment at the finish for runners and spectators,” he reveals.

The Governor also added that for the 2017 edition, plans have been put in place to accommodate volunteers who would work hand in hand to make the event a success, explaining that every volunteer would get a certificate signed by him and their names will be in Lagos State data base for volunteers. He said that the State Government was working with other partners to address the challenges and hiccups recorded in the first edition of the Marathon, assuring that he would personally supervise the logistics required for the event. That is vintage Ambo, showing his apostleship for the sporting programme.

“Let’s say that route education plan will be released early so that Lagosians can plan their movement on the day of the international race. There will also be live transmission for the local and global audience. There will be clearer and bolder kilometer marking along the route. Our target is to also make Lagosians proud of this event and make them look forward to it every year,” the Governor said.

In his remark, consummate banker, Herbert Wigwe, Managing Director of Access Bank, the major partners of the Lagos City Marathon, expressed optimism that the 2017 edition of the race would be bigger and better.

He said Access Bank was glad to partner with Lagos State, noting that the success of the first edition did not only showcase Lagos to be an avenue for sports development, but also for the growth of tourism and youth development. On that note therefore, it is forward with Access Bank/Lagos City Marathon athletics championship. It will truly bubble if the arrangements reeled out by Gov. Ambode is anything to rely upon.

Access Bank’s boss, Wigwe also re-echoed their readiness for the big marathon showpiece. It went to show that much is on the line to make the competition memories one to linger on for a long time. It shows the organisers and its major partner are also long distance runners themselves. One won’t be surprised Access Bank would bring her rich tradition of clinical touches and finishing to bear to add another feather already in its gold cap. Lest we forget, Access Bank Plc was the first corporate outfit that brought English Premiership League live to the living rooms on football fans in the country via Hi-TV and it was superb and enduring. Their acumen remains second to none. We are anxiously waiting to join the train of 2017 Marathon athletics competition. Discussion Continues as events unfold, stay with the online portal that serves news fresh and exclusive rooted in time! Meanwhile, keep shooting hard, till next week!!

•Victor Enyinnaya can be reached via 08055068145 (sms only) or by e-mail via sportzvictor@yahoo.com.au

Source Daily Sports

Posted November 28, 2016