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Marathon: Ajegunle City Marathon Begins With VIP Race
Organisers of the maiden Ajegunle Youth Marathon, kick started the race on Saturday, November, 23, 2024 with a well attended VIP race .
The 2.5 kilometer race which attracted important personalities including community and political leaders and celebrities was flagged off at the Ifelodun Local Council Development Area and terminated at the Ajeromi/ Ifelodun Local Government Secretariat.
On hand to flag off the race is the traditional ruler Oba Moroof Amodu- Tijani ( Amore III), Olu of Iwa and Apapa Kingdom, assisted by the Vice Chairmen of Ajeromi/ Ifelodun Local Government Area and Ifelodun Local Council Development Area who represented their bosses; Hon Fatai Adekunle Ayoola and Hon.Olufemi Akanbi Okeowo respectively.
Speaking at the flag off, Oba Amodu- Tijani explained that Ajegunle is synonimous with sports and that the race is important because it will serve as talent discovery, maintenance of peace, unity and harmony amongst the various ethnic and diverse religious groups that inhabit the area.
The Royal Father while commending National Youth Council of Nigeria for coming out with the wonderful initiative; said the race will also show Nigerians that Ajegunle is not a crime prone area but an area full with talented sportsmen, musicians and artists.
” This marathon is important to us because it will help in spreading the gospel of unity and togetherness amongst the various ethnic groups that make up Ajegunle and we must thank the National Youth Council of Nigeria for coming up with this wonderful initiative”, he said.
Oba Amodu- Tijani commended the good job the Chairman of Ajeromi/ Ifelodun Local Government Area is doing through provision of modern sporting facilities at the Maracana Stadium which he said is geared at keeping youths off crime and enable them become useful citizens,urging other Council Chairmen to emulate him
Also speaking, Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim, Commissioner in the Audit Committee of Lagos State, reminded Nigerians that marathon is not just about exercise or winning but a message is being passed through it to the outside world that Ajegunle boasts of budding talents in sports, politics and business and that the organisers want to change the narratives for people to know that a lot of good things are happening in the city
In his own remarks, Sports Director General of the Local Government, McAnthony Anaelechukwu noted that Ajegunle in the past has been known with producing great footballers and music talents but they want to use the marathon and announce to Nigerians that the city is good at athletics even as he stressed that the idea behind the race is to take youths off the street, shun social vices and be off crime
Coordinator National Youth Council of Nigeria, Ajeromi/Ifelodun Local Government Area Isaac Success Omoleye said the whole idea about the marathon is to promote fitness and healthy living as well as promote synergy among youths irrespective of age, religion and tribe.
He said that the race will also create awareness that it’s not only football and music that Ajegunle is noted for but that it also have long distance runners who can bring glory to the country.
” It’s important to state that the youths are the most viable assets to the growth and development of any nation and as such, the marathon will serve as a platform to harness the potentials of Ajegunle youths for meaningful youth engagement and also show Nigerians at large that the city apart from having talented footballers, musicians and artists equally boasts of good distance runners”, he explained.
Project leader , Ajegunle city youth marathon, Isaac Moses giving insight into what to expect on Saturday, November 30, day of the main marathon, he said that all arrangement has being put in place for a successful fun filled race
“Right now we are expecting over a thousand runners and we’re receiving security assistance from Nigerian Police, Lagos Neighbourhood Agency, and the Federal Road Safety Commission.
” The Lagos State Ministry of Health will be sending two ambulances for precautionary measures. So, we are good to go. There will be free medical checks on High blood pressure, sugar level and HIV status while our volunteers are fully ready for the race.
The take off point of Saturday’s race will be at the Maracana Stadium while the finish point is the Sports Ground of Nigerian Army Signals Barracks, Mile 2, Lagos
One of Nigeria’s most successful Amateur and Professional Wrestler, Morris Atula says the time for Nigerians to fully celebrate sporting success has come.
The former Nigeria, Commonwealth and World Wrestling Champion made the declaration as he paid a courtesy visit to Director General (DG) of the National Sports Commission (NSC) during the week.
Both prominent Nigerians were in ecstatic mood including combat sports demonstration at the office located inside the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Atula who relocated to Nigeria last Sunday after four decades in Europe visited Olapade with his wife and daughter.
The ever lively Atula congratulated Olapade over his appointment as DG of the NSC while also hailing appointment of Malam Shehu Dikko as Chairman of NSC.
“I can’t stop thanking president Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Technocrats like Malam Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olapade to administer Nigerian sports , the signs of better days for Nigerian sports are getting clearer with positive policies and programmes being rolled out by the duo. I’m looking forward to contributing my quota, particularly in reviving, Nigerian wrestling. I’m praying stakeholders to fully back my target of being the next president of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation. I have a master plan that would make Nigeria become the best wrestling nation in the world. It’s about adequate training, talent discovery/nurturing and regular competitions all over the 36 states of the nation, not forgetting the FCT of Abuja.
Technocrats and veterans would play key roles in the revival of wrestling in Nigeria”, said Atula with a whiff of optimism.
Olapade expressed happiness over Atula’s visit to his office and readiness to be part of effort to revive Nigerian Sports
by Ijeoma Chigbu
Former Nigerian , Commonwealth and World Wrestling Champion, Morris Atula says he has fully returned home after about forty years stay in Europe with bold intent of reviving the sport in the country.
Atula, Former Chairman of Edo State Wrestling Association said on arrival at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja that he is inspired by the return of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and presence of technocrats like Malam Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olapade as Chairman and Director General of the NSC .
He stated that he has fully returned home to partake in nation building directly and commends President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appointment of Technocrats to run the NSC adding that he has a key role to play if elected as the next president of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation.
“I’m tested and trusted having wrestled all over the World. I’m a technocrate with varst experience garnered as amateur and professional wrestler. I have been a successful coach beside being a sound administrator. I will work with key stakeholders to make Nigeria be among best wrestling nations ,as it were when late Mike Bamidele was our coach.
Morris Atula stressed that he will work with Veterans and technocrats in reviving Wrestling in Nigeria and ensure massive sponsorship drive to boost regular training and championships in all the 36 States of the federation and the FCT
“There would be further training opportunities too for coaches towards impacting more on Wrestlers and my board will put more programmes in place for effective grassroot development”. He said
Chairman Lagos boxing Hall of fame Olawale Edun has praised the performance of boxers who emerge champions of the annual Lagos governors belt tournament. Edun said the quality of boxers who come through the governors belt have displayed nothing but top class boxing
The renowned monthly Saturday Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame (LBHF) had undergone a rebranding, expanding its scope to include Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) alongside its traditional boxing tournaments. ” We are indeed very excited and proud of the performance of boxers who have over the years won the governors belt.
“Thats why the Hall of fame championship is consistent in availing the pugilists a platform to excell in their chosen career . We are grateful about the support we are getting but we need more people to come on board to discover more young boxers who will become worthy ambassadors for Nigeria ” He said
Oyebamiji Oluwasegun won the 15th Annual Governor’s Belt – Hall of Fame (HOF) 139 on December 26th (Boxing Day) at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. Oyebamiji Quadri “Ekete” Oluwasegun defeated Qudus Lateef by a split decision in their 3 rounds Bantamweight (54KG) bouts, to claim the 15th Annual Governor’s Belt title and a cheque of five hundred Thousands Naira (#500k).
The tournament featured 13 heart-pounding boxing matches across various weight categories for both male and female fighters. Each athlete stepped into the ring with a fierce determination to claim victory and etch their names in the annals of combat sports history. In the 48kg male category, Abijuwon Farouq showcased his exceptional skills, decisively defeating Bolarinwa Micheal after three intense rounds. Abdulahi Robiu also shone brightly in the 60kg male category, exhibiting remarkable pace and precision to secure his win,
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