Ambode welcomes local, foreign participants to 2nd Lagos Marathon, assures of adequate security, medical, other logistics News

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Ambode welcomes local, foreign participants to 2nd Lagos Marathon, assures of adequate security, medical, other logistics

By Maduabuchi Kalu on February 11, 2017

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has welcomed both local and foreign participants to the 2nd edition of International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF)-sanctioned Access Bank Lagos City Marathon which holds today, Saturday, February 11, 2017.

Ambode extended the open arms through his representative Deji Tinubu, who happens to be his Special Assistant on Sports and the Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission. Tinubu warmly welcomed the athletes during a World Press Conference held on Friday at the upscale Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, to herald the event.

“This is the 2^nd edition of the IAAF sanctioned Access Bank Lagos City Marathon and I want to welcome all the participants both local and foreign to this great athletics event,” Tinubu began.

“Because of the success recorded at the maiden edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, I have to personally get involved in this year’s edition which is the 2^nd edition.

“My involvement is to ensure that I did not only sanction it; but to ensure that the event get better and bigger. I got involved to ensure that all the logistics are put in place for a successful event and to show my commitment to this great athletics event.

“I got personally involved to ensure that the event achieve what it set out to archive. We want to use this marathon event to show the world that Lagos is safe for investment; we want to use this event to showcase the beauty of Lagos to the world. We want to use this marathon event to show that Lagos can be choice destination for sports and tourism,” Ambode explained.

“I want to use this opportunity to assure you that every logistics to ensure hitch free event is in place. Security is watertight, medical facilities for the event is in place. So, there is no cause for alarm. Therefore, I welcome you to the 2^nd edition of the Access Bank City Marathon.

“The last but not the least is the fact that for those who cannot run, adequate arrangement has been made to take care of you. The organisers have created entertainment centers where you can come and enjoy yourself at the Teslim Balogun Stadium,” Ambode revealed.

Speaking further, the Governor thanked the major sponsor of the event, Access Bank even as he welcomed and recognised other partners like 7UP, AQUAFINA, Bet9ja, Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), Nilayo Sports Management Ltd, Eko Atlantic Live and Work among others.

He explained that the fact that the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon attracted a lot of IAAF members means that the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is doing what is right.

Also speaking during the press conference, the representative of the Managing Director of Access Bank, Mr. Victor Otoko said: “Everything has been said concerning today’s event, I can only wish you the best of luck.

“Everything has been put in place for a successful event. I wish you the best and like they say may the best man win.”

On his part, the President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Evangelist Solomon Ogba, thanked Access Bank for being a good corporate citizen. I also thank 7UP and other partners for partnering with Access Bank for this marathon,”

Meanwhile some the dignitaries that graced the world Press Conference include AFN President, Evangelist Solomon Ogba, S. A. on Sports to the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, Deji Tinubu, Latifa of IAAF, former national quarter miler, Deji Aliu, Miss Nigeria, Chioma Obijuru, Nordem Paulson, former commissioner for Sports in Ogun State, Barrister Bukola Olapade, the representative to Delta State Governor, Dry Ifeanyi Okowa, Tony Okowa among others.

The organisers say more than 100,000 people registered to take part in the race today even as they disclosed that they had to stop registration in order to manage the crowd and to provide for them.

The organisers also disclosed that adequate water has been provided as 300,000 of bottle water have been provided and stationed at various points of the marathon route.

Source Daily Sports

Posted February 11, 2017