Femi Solaja
Organisers of the annual Abeokuta 10km Race have announced a major shift of this year’s edition to September 9th 2023 as part of the activities to mark the 80th birthday celebration of Alake of Egba Land, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo.
The Chief Executive Officer of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Chief Bukola Olopade, explained at a press conference yesterday that the 3rd edition will be a special one to the Egba land.
“This edition will be special in many ways and like in the previous two editions, it will be a great opportunity to showcase the hospitality and advancement of the people to the world and luckily, the advancement of this project has the support of Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, whose administration has helped in the advancement of youth empowerment in the last four year
and have bountiful plans for the next four years to be greater,” he remarked.
The 3rd edition of the race which is sponsored by Lotus Bank will hold on 3rd of September and it will mark a week-long activity to mark the 80th birthday of the Alake of Egba land.
He added that the finish point of the race will be at the front of Alake’s Palace. “Incidentally, it is also facing the Abeokuta branch office of Lotus Bank.
“I am proud to also add that top executives of most of our sponsors like 7Up, Kenyan Airways, Cash Token, etc, are all indigenes of Egba land.
“This edition is being staged by the Egba people to the international community. There will be fanfare at the finish point after the race,” stressed the former Ogun State sports commissioner.
Group Head, Lotus Bank, Foladimi Brodie-Mends, stated that it was important to use the Abeokuta Road Race to help youth in the state and to further expand the tentacles of the bank.
Alake of Egba, Oba Aremu Gbadebo commended the organisers, Nilayo Sports and the title sponsor, Lotus Bank for maintaining high standards in the state.
Project manager of the event, Seyi Johnson of Nilayo stated that 42 foreign runners have already indicated interest to be at the event.
He explained that the September 9 race will start at 7am depending on the weather situation.
The first prize for foreign runners is $5,000 while the second and third placed finishers will take home $3,000 and $2, 000 respectively the fourth $1,500 and fifth $1,000.
For the Nigerian category, N2m is for the winner of the Race while the runners up will smile home with N1million. There is a consolation prize of N500,000 and N300,000 for the fourth and fifth placed finishers.
