Top Heavyweights in Sports grace Enugu City International Marathon World Press Conference

The stage is now finally set for the highly anticipated World Athletics certified Enugu City International Marathon billed for Saturday may 3rd 2025 in the coal city of Enugu state after a world press conference heralding the event was held on Friday.

The Enugu state Commissioner for Sports, Lloyd Ekweremadu Jr said the state Government is excited about the race on Saturday and are already looking forward to its sustainability beyond this year’s edition.

” I want to announce that because of the potential and economic viability of this race the state Governor, his Excellency Peter Mbah has approved that the Enugu city international marathon will be an annual event. This is going to be a continuous process and we know that the economy of our state will be boosted with such an international event”.

The Commissioner also explained why the state decided to choose a marathon, instead of another sporting event.

” We decided to do a marathon because the road race involves many athletes at the same time and you can get the youths engaged more with such a sporting event”.

On her part, the Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management Company, the Consultants of the Race, Mrs Yetunde Olopade, commends the doggedness and investment of the Enugu state Government in Sports.

” Governor Peter Mbah has continually shown that he has a road map for sports development in the state when you take a look at all the investments he is putting into sports to make sure the state is a major power house when it comes to sports Development in Nigeria”, she said.

The calibre of top dignitaries at the Press Conference further underscores the profile of the race, which is a first of its kind in the history of South Eastern Nigeria.

Gracing the Press Conference on Friday include; the Commissioner of Sports in Enugu state, Lloyd Ekweremadu Jr, the M.D of Nilayo Sports Management Company, Mrs Yetunde Olopade, the Vice President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Chief Solomon Ogba, the President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, Tony Okowa, Representative of World Athletics, the Technical Director of the Race and former Nigeria top athlete, Yusuf Ali and legendary Movie star Nkem Owo amongst others.

The Enugu city international Marathon is expected to witness the participation of over 3000 athletes from and outside the country in both the 42km race and the 10km race.

Meanwhile the State Governor Peter Mbah will be among the thousands of runners that will participate in the race as he will be running the 10km race from start to finish.

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has lauded Team Nigeria’s dominant opening performance at the 2025 Senior African Wrestling Championships in Casablanca, Morocco, where the contingent clinched four gold medals on Day One of the tournament.

Despite the withdrawal of wrestler Mercy Adekuoroye due to illness, the Nigerian contingent produced a flawless display, with all four remaining athletes winning their respective finals to secure gold for the country.

Christianah Ogunsanya (53kg), Esther Kolawole (62kg), Hannah Reuben (68kg), and Damola Ojo (76kg) delivered a clean sweep of victories, propelling Nigeria to the top of the medal standings on the opening day.

Ogunsanya set the tone early with a commanding run, defeating Morocco’s Zineb Chabki 10-0 in the semifinal before clinching gold. 

Kolawole followed with an equally dominant 10-0 win over Senegal’s Safietou Goudialy in the final. 

Reuben’s 11-0 demolition of Egypt’s Mariam Mesbah showcased her power and technical superiority, while Ojo wrapped up the evening with a confident performance in the 76kg category.

Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, expressed his delight with the team’s performance and commended the athletes for their resilience and excellence.

“What our wrestlers are doing in Casablanca is nothing short of phenomenal. To win four golds from four finals is a clear demonstration of Nigeria’s sustained pedigree in wrestling. We are proud of the athletes, the coaching crew, and the entire federation for this outstanding achievement,” said Olopade. “This is just the beginning, and we are confident more medals will come.”

The championship continues until May 4 at the  Complexe Sportif Mohammed V Casablanca, Morocco, as team Nigeria aims to build on its early momentum and maintain its position at the top of the leaderboard.

The Abia State Government has inaugurated the Main Organising Committee (MOC) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the upcoming 1st Abia Para Badminton International Championship and the Africa Para Badminton Championships 2025.

The inauguration ceremony was held on Friday at the Abia State Government House in Umuahia, in the office of the Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu.

The 1st Abia Para Badminton International Championship is scheduled to take place from September 30 to October 5, 2025, followed by the All Africa Para Badminton Championship from October 6 to 12, 2025.

President, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih commended Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, for his significant investment in sports development. 

He noted that both championships would have a substantial economic impact on the state and attract international recognition to Abia’s progress under Governor Otti’s administration.

“This marks Nigeria’s first time hosting an international para badminton championship, which reflects our shared commitment to advancing para sports,” Orbih said.

He added, “Your Excellency, by hosting this historic event, you are not only making a powerful statement about equity and opportunity, but also positioning Abia State as a beacon of progress in sports development, both nationally and across the continent.

“This championship offers tremendous opportunities—it will stimulate the local economy, attract international attention, and inspire a new generation of para-athletes across Africa.”

Orbih assured the state of the BFN’s full support, pledging technical expertise and collaboration to ensure the event meets international standards.

He also charged committee members to uphold professionalism and integrity in the discharge of their duties:

“I urge you to work with unity, transparency, and excellence. The eyes of the continent, and indeed the global badminton community, will be on Abia, and I am confident you will rise to the occasion.”

Orbih also referenced Eniola Bolaji’s historic achievement at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, which brought global recognition to both Nigeria and Africa in para badminton.

In his remarks, Governor Alex Otti, represented by Deputy Governor Emetu, expressed pride in the achievements of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria and the state’s local Association.

He praised their dedication and emphasized Abia’s potential to become a leading hub for badminton in Africa.

Emetu also encouraged stakeholders to invest in grassroots development to nurture the next generation of champions.

The Governor further congratulated Francis Orbih on his election to the Badminton World Federation Council, recognising it as a milestone for Nigerian badminton on the global stage.

After the inauguration, the committee members embarked on an inspection tour of the facilities for the events after which Orbih said “I want to say I am impressed with the level of renovation work going on at the venue. We also visited designated official hotels for the event to make sure they are up to standards set for such events”.

List of Main Organising Committee (MOC) Members:

Chairman: Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu

Vice Chairman: Francis Orbih

Members: Prescilia Alex Otti, Ekeoma Samuel, Hon. Nwaobillor Ananaba, George Obioma, Abel Sunday, Alhaji Mohammed Maina, Mallam Tunde Kazeem, Salihu Abubakar, Seyi Johnson, Sunday Odebode, Thecla Okpara, and Oludare Davies.

List of Local Organising Committee (LOC) Members:

Chairperson: Her Excellency Prescilia Chioma Alex Otti

Vice Chairman: Celeb Ajagba

Members: Pascal Karibe Ojigwe, Francis Orbih, George Obioma, Abel Sunday, Ekeoma Samuel, Kenneth Odanwu, Dr. Eugene Ihuaba, George Shitta, Obiageli Solaja, Hon. Sulyman Shehu Warah, Amb. Yahaya Faruk, and Mallam Tunde Kazeem.