Ismael Sadjo, Rose Akusho steal show at 2021 Bigi Abeokuta 10 KM Race

 

Ismaeel Sadjo from Cross River state on Saturday, November 13, 2021 emerged champion of the Bigi Abeokuta 10 kilometre race (Men category) to claim the two thousand dollars prize money.

The race started at the popular Ake palace, and Sadjo got to the finish line at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta after thirty one minutes and three seconds (31.03)

In a race that featured 100 percent indigenous runners, Stephen Joshua from Plateau state finished second with a time of thirty one minutes and forty three seconds (31.43), while Emmanuel Gyang finished as the second runner up (32.05).

In the women version, Plateau state athletes took centre stage as three of their runners finished on the podium.

Rose Akusho took the top prize with a time of thirty six minutes and twenty nine seconds (36.29), she was closely followed by Vera Yahanna who got to the finish line after thirty seven minutes, five seconds (37.05), just as Patience Dalyop took the third Position with a  time of (38.05).

The top three in the male and female category were presented with a cheque of two thousand dollars, one thousand five hundred dollars and one thousand dollars in that order.

The wheelchair race had Sefiu Ojeleye, Akanni Jelili and Shola Opaleke as the podium finishers respectively in the male category, while Olajumoke Olajide, Chika Enwerem and Nofisat Adefala emerged as the winner, first runner up and second runner up in that order in the female version.

Organizers of the Abeokuta 10 kilometre Race, Nilayo Sports Management Limited confirmed that the athletes will be credited in a record time of 48 hours.

Managing Director of NSML, Hon. Bukola Olopade at the end of the event appreciated the sponsors and the Ogun state government for the tremendous support, he added that their limitless contribution will continue to strengthen and empower the youth, and also give a facelift to the sports sector in the country.

Hon. Olopade made it known that the decision to feature just indigenous athletes at this edition of the Abeokuta 10 kilometre race has already proven to be a success.

He said "Our decision to have a Home land race for the first time has yielded positively, and going forward, we will review this decision and if it will be best for the Abeokuta 10 kilometre race to remain as a race for Indigenes, so be it".

"This wouldn't have been possible without the support from our sponsors, Rite Foods, makers of the Bigi Brand, Access Bank, Suzuki, Coleman Wires and Cables, IBD Hotels and others, we sincerely appreciate everything you have committed into this project, one thing we will continue to assure you is the quality, value and a good mileage for your input" 

"We also appreciate the Executive governor of Ogun State, Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun, the enabling environment is unrivalled, we will not take this support for granted".

"We are already looking forward to the next edition which we believe will be bigger and better, thank you everyone".

At the end of the event, Legendary Fuji musician, Alhaji Sefiu Alao (Baba Oko thrilled the audience at the MKO Abiola Stadium, rave of the moment, Alayo Melody singer (Global Legend of Orchestra) was also on hand to entertain the crowd.

Another top rated juju musician, Boye Best also created magic, while fast rising Abeokuta based hype man, Michael Fadiya (MOTM) infused energy to wrap up the epoch making event.

Chairman, House Committee on Sports, Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Olumide Osoba was present at the flag off of the race which had earlier received Royal Blessings from the Alake and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Michael Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo.

The Secretary to the state government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi led the extremely powerful state government delegation which also had commissioner for youth and sports, Dr. Kehinde Oluwadare, his local government and chieftaincy affairs associate, Hon. Afolabi Afuape, special assistant to the governor on youth and sports, Lamide Lawal, special assistant on Job creation, Mr. Abiola Odetola and a host of others.

Captains of industry, prominent people from different walks of life were also in attendance

BigiAbeokutaMarathon: Okowa motivates long distance runners with over a million naira

 

…charges athletes to be ready for African Youth Games

The President of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria, Chief Tonobok Okowa, has lifted the spirits of some long-distance runners with more than N1 million after meeting with them in Abeokuta on Saturday.

Okowa revealed during the meeting that there is need to invest in the athletes so as to make the country proud in international competitions.

With the African Youth Games expected to take place in Ethiopia next year, the president urged the coaches to pick the best three U-18 athletes, male and female, with the motive of preparing them for the Games.

While agreeing on the date to start camping in Jos, Plateau State, the national team coach, Steve Nuhu, was tasked with the duty of preparing the athletes alongside some of the senior athletes in the team.

Emmanuel Gyang, Ismael Sadjo and Rose Akusho, were also drafted into the team to help the junior athletes gain experience.

To this effect, the AFN president released the sum of N1million to the team to start the camping from December 1, 2021 with the athletes and the officials expected to go home for holiday by December 22 before returning on Monday January 3, 2022.

“We are looking at the athletes competing favourably with their counterparts from Kenya and Ethiopia,” Okowa said.

“Now that we have identified some of the problems affecting the athletes, like not eating well and the likes, there is need to invest in a solution and that we have done with the agreement of the athletes and the coaches.

“There will also be need to monitor what they are doing and to make sure they have the best  before we release them to the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development.”

While appreciating the AFN president, the athletes and the coaches promised to give it their all as they have been looking for such opportunity for so long.

Alake of Egbaland gives royal blessing to Abeokuta 10KM Race, hails organizers

 

The Alake and Paramount ruler of Egba Land, Oba Dr. Michael Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo on Thursday endorsed the 2021 Abeokuta 10KM Race.

The Royal endorsement and validation took centre stage during a courtesy visit to the palace of the Monarch by  the management and staff of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, led by the Managing Director,  Hon. Bukola Olopade.

The Paramount ruler who threw his weight behind the event noted that Abeokuta 10km race which debuted in 2019 has further announced Abeokuta, the whole of Egba Land and Ogun State at large to the world as a city of limitless innovations.

He said "Bukola Olopade has done a tremendous job with sports promotion in Nigeria, and I believe that what we are going to witness on Saturday will be bigger than what we  saw two years ago"

"I am always proud to be associated with success, it's a very good feeling to also have hundred percent indigenous runners at this edition"

"Whenever I see Kenyans and Ethiopians dominate races in Nigeria, it's always my wish to witness one that will be won by a Nigerian, so it gladdens my heart that the first to produce a Nigerian winner is happening in Egba Land"

Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo confirmed that he will be on ground to join top government officials at the start point of the race for flag off on Saturday.

In his remark, MD/ Chief Executive Officer, Nilayo Sports Management Limited Hon. Bukola Olopade appreciated the highly revered monarch for his Royal Blessings and support over the years, he also explained how the Abeokuta 10km race has continued to gather momentum ahead of its second edition.

"Your highness, the Abeokuta 10KM race is the first Internationally approved race to be localised, all the ingredients of an international race will still be put in place despite having just local runners"

Hon. Olopade assured of a World class event, devoid of hitches come November 13, 2021, and appreciated headline sponsors Rite Foods Nigeria, makers of the Bigi brand and other affiliate sponsors like Suzuki who also had a representative at the event.

Present at the visit were top Chiefs of Egba Kingdom including the Osi Of Egba Land, Chief Bode Mustapha and the Baaroyin of Egba Land, Chief Lai Labode.

Others are Chief Kehinde Sofenwa, the Bantun of Egba Land, Chief Akanni Akinwale, Baagbimo of Egba Land, Oba Oniro of Iro and the Onitafin elect.

The Chief Operating Officer, Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Mr.  Ebidowei Oweifie was also in attendance alongside Project Manager of the race Mr Seyi Johnson, branding manager Mrs. Jumoke Adekanye and other staff of NSML.

Members of the Press from different media organizations also attended the courtesy visit.

Eventual winners of Abeokuta 10KM Race will receive prize money in record time - Organizers

The organizers of Abeokuta 10 kilometre race, Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML), have revealed that eventual winners at the 2021 edition scheduled for November 13 will be paid 48 hours after the race.

Managing Director of NSML, Hon. Bukola Olopade said it's a record time of crediting winners, a development he described as a step in the right direction.

The 2021 Abeokuta 10 kilometre race with the theme, "Naija, Race For Homeland" is restricted to indigenous runners, the first time of having such in the history of races put together by the foremost sports marketing company.

In his words, Hon. Olopade, a former sports commissioner in the Gateway state said measures are already in place to ensure a hitch free race, he added that the City of Abeokuta is extremely ready to host the indigenous athletes coming from different part of the country.

He said "Winners will get their prizes 48 hours after the race, it's a record time of payment, the history is there for all to see"

"We are extremely glad to put up ideas that will add quality to what we have put in place, come November 13, the indigenous athletes will witness a top notch road race which is strictly for Naija, our Homeland"

"With the support we have from our sponsors and the Ogun State government, we are ready for the great Abeokuta 10KM Race"

At stake is a two thousand dollars ($2,000) prize money for the eventual winner, while the second and third to reach the finish line will go home with one thousand five hundred dollars ($1500), and one thousand dollars ($1000) in that order.

The 2021 Abeokuta 10 kilometre race will also have a Wheelchair category where the top three runners will receive five hundred thousand naira, three hundred thousand naira and two hundred thousand naira respectively.

The take off point for the race is the Ake Palace, it will terminate at the MKO Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta.

Coleman Wires and Cables team up with Bigi Abeokuta 10KM Race

Organizers of the Abeokuta 10KM Race, Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML) have confirmed Coleman Wires and Cables as the latest partners to join the list of sponsors for the event .

The Chief Executive Officer of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Mr. Bukola Olopade who announced the partnership expressed optimism that the relationship will stand the test of time.

He said "Coleman is a great addition to our list of outstanding sponsors and partners, for 25 years, Coleman has been manufacturing products that meet national and international standards of excellence".

"Coleman's commitment to excellence is a key trait we celebrate in all our sponsors and partners, this race is about celebrating what makes us stand out as Nigerians, our tenacity and the spirit of excellence".

"Naija, race for homeland is not just about the Bigi Abeokuta 10KM Race, it is a call for Nigerians to embrace an active fitness lifestyle".

The Bigi Abeokuta 10KM Race is scheduled for 13th November 2021, the route starts at the Ake Palace and ends at the M.K.O Abiola International Stadium.

The event will feature a 10KM Race and a Wheelchair category, winners will go home with $2000 (Two Thousand Dollars), first runners up will win $1500 (One thousand five hundred dollars), and $1000 (One thousand dollars) for the third position in the male and female category.

The race is greatly supported by the Ogun State government, the headline sponsor is Rite Foods, other sponsors include Kenya Airways, Suzuki, Ecogas and IBD Hotels.

*About Coleman Wires and Cables:*

Coleman Wires and Cables is committed to manufacturing consistent quality wires and cables that meet and exceed customer's expectations, Coleman ensures continual improvement of processes and service delivery through staff development, motivation and creation of a conducive work environment towards achieving utmost customer satisfaction.

Coleman products include High/Medium Voltage Cables, Low Voltage Cables, Fire Resistant Wires and Wables, LSFOH Wires.

*About Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML)*

Nilayo Sports Management Limited is a management and marketing company based in Lagos, Nigeria, Nilayo has worked with some of the biggest names in the world of sports including World Athletics (WA), Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) and Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).

Nilayo organizes several sporting events across the country, which include Access Bank Lagos City Marathon which is the biggest Marathon in Africa and elite labelled by the World Athletics, Great Abeokuta 10KM Race, Africa's foremost Ultra Race, the Valuejet IAU African Championship, Remo, a 50KM Ultra Race held in Ogun State, among others.

Bayo Adegboyega

(Media Officer, Abeokuta 10KM Race)