A group identified as Ile-Ife
Heritage Marathon Organisation (IHMO), on Thursday in Osogbo, capital
of Osun State, said arrangements have been concluded to collaborate with the
Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II) in hosting a
maiden edition of Ife marathon race.
Addressing a press conference in
Osogbo, the race director, Mrs Adedayo Akinbode hinted that
the marathon, which is expected to gulp N20 million was aimed
at showcasing the rich culture of the Ife as the cradle of
Yorubaland, saying participants were expected from Germany, Kenya, United
Kingdom (UK), United States of America (USA), Nigeria, Israel, Malaysia, among other
countries.
Akinbode,
an international marathoner, who explained that Osun State government was
playing a significant role in ensuring overall success of the marathon,
contended that organising the race in Ife was strategic, just as she described
the development as a payback for her formative life as student
of Obafemi Awolowo University between the age of 15 and 20 years.
While disclosing that the
race was also targeted at changing the
wrong international perception about Nigeria from vices of
corruption, insecurity and social malaise to that of virtues and nobility,
she posited that “Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi had provided
the critical support for the marathon, including covering letters to
corporate organisations and other bodies for sponsorship”.
According to Akinbode, “We have
prepared a budget of N20m. But, how much we are going to get depends on the
responses from the potential sponsors. Many local and foreign participants
have started registering for the race and we have marathoners from Germany,
Netherlands, Pakistan, Isreal, UK, USA, Kenyans, Philippines, Malaysia. From
Nigeria, we have participants from Plateau State and some states in the North
East. The registration fees is $53. 60 for foreign participants,
while local marathoner will pay N16, 500. The marathon would
boost tourism potentials of Nigeria and Osun as a state”.
Commenting
on the security measures being put in place for the race, she disclosed that
members of the security planning committee include the representative from
the Osun State Commissioner for Police, Mr Fimihan Adeoye, and local security
from the OAU.
Akinbode stated that “we are
expecting 150 participants. This includes 50 foreigners or
marathoners and 100 local participants .The local and foreign marathoners
would visit tourist attraction centres in Osun and the race would hold on
the 4th of February, 2018. The marathon starts by 6.00am and
it is expected to cover 42. 95 kilometres. They will start from the
Conference centre of OAU to OAUTHC back to OAU. From there to Ajebmaidele
Toll Gate to OOU and back to Adeyemi Aderemi road to Ori Olokun roundabout
to Ondo road junction and finally end the marathon at the palace of the Ooni of
Ife for reception.
In his remark, Osun State
Commissioner for Sports, Youths and Special Needs, Mr Biyi
Odunlande said the incumbent administration was passionately committed to
success of the marathon, adding that enabling atmosphere would be provided to
guarantee securiity and peace during the race.
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