Organisers of the annual Okpekpe Worldwide 10km Street Race on Thursday introduced Might 27 as date for the ninth version of the Gold Label worldwide competitors.
Briefing newsmen in Benin, the Edo Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, stated the 2023 version could be run for 2 functions.
One of many functions, he stated, was for the prize cash and the second was to create consciousness about Most cancers and Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
“We’re blissful that the Okpekpe street race is saved alive as we’re getting nearer to our goal to make the race an occasion of a Diamond Label standing.
“The 2023 race can be on gold label as we put in our greatest in make the race one of the best within the World.
“I can’t be collaborating for a prize, however I can be operating for a trigger which is to create consciousness for most cancers.
“Aside from operating for a prize, you may run for a trigger. I encourage people who can’t run for the prize to run for a trigger to encourage individuals to go for most cancers screening and HIV testing for early detection.
“We have now gone past the race as a sports activities occasion, as we’ve additionally introduced in college students to make use of sports activities to sharpen their data and scale back social vices within the society,” Shaibu stated.
The Edo deputy governor, nonetheless, assured the potential athletes of ample safety all through the period of the occasion.
“Satisfactory safety measures have been put in place to make sure that all residents and guests, together with athletes, coming into the state for the race are all protected and guarded,” he added.
Additionally talking, Zack Amodu, the Race Director, stated athletes from about 10 international locations have been being anticipated for the competitors.
Amodu stated the athletes have been anticipated to reach in Lagos on Might 23 from the place they’d proceed to Auchi on Might 24 to familiarise themselves with the atmosphere earlier than the principle occasion on Might 27.
“Final 12 months we organised a technical officiating course for officers with a view to enhancing the pool of the technical officers we have already got in Nigeria.
“We’re delighted to set the tempo for street races in Nigeria and to develop into the primary to have its course measured by a World Athletics-certified measurer and the primary to be granted a label standing,” he stated.
The occasion’s chief advertising personnel, Mike Itamuagbor, in his remarks stated the race could be ran on Gold Label as a result of the race has gone worldwide.
“The street race this 12 months has added some few improvements as we can be partnering with the Edo College the place about 200 college students will work as volunteers for the occasion within the space of lodging, medicals and media,” he stated.
Additionally, the Chairman of Edo State Sports activities Fee, Yusuf Ali, stated the Okpekpe street race has introduced a lot honour to Nigeria.
The Information Company of Nigeria stories that Okpekpe is within the Etsako West Native Authorities Space of Edo. (NAN)
