The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday announced that about 50,000 athletes from across the world are expected to participate in the second edition of Access Bank Lagos City Marathon billed to hold on February 11, 2017.
The Governor, who stated this at Lagos House in Ikeja while addressing a
world press conference on the marathon, said necessary logistics have
been put in place to make the event hugely successful, and as well
promote the tourism potentials of the State.
The
Governor said 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 as one of the best in the world.
He
said the government was working to ensure that the 2017 edition of the
Lagos City Marathon billed to hold on Saturday, February 11, 2017 would
see a major improvement compared to the maiden edition.
Governor
Ambode said 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, adding that it would go a long way to engage and empower
thousands of Lagosians in various sectors.
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, adding 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.
Winner
of the 2017 Lagos City Marathon, according to the Governor 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.
“The
Lagos City Marathon is presently ranked 68th in the world, but our
desire is to make it the top ten in the world and that is what we are
working on with the next episode of the event.
“Unlike
the one held on February 6 this year, where we had over 30,000 athletes
who participated, we are targeting 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 event.
“We
look forward to something exciting happening in Lagos. We are going to
use sports as a vehicle to help develop our youths 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 even Lagosians at large,” Governor Ambode
said.
The
Governor also expressed optimism that the success of the first edition
and efforts to make next year’s edition bigger, the Lagos City Marathon
would soon be labeled 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 said.
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, adding 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.
“Route
education plan will be released early so that Lagosians can plan their
movement on race day. 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.
On
his part, Mr. 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.
source: Thenation
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