Ikom, Cross River State – The State Governor Prince Bassey Otu, Weekend, flagged off the maiden version of Agbokim Falls’ Inexperienced Marathon Race in Ikom Native Authorities Space.
The race, designed into three segments, accommodated professionals who launched into a 42km race whereas the locals engaged in 21 and kids in 10-kilometre races, respectively.
Talking on the occasion, the Governor mentioned the thought of decentralising actions of presidency is to make sure that the citizenry constantly feels the heartbeat of governance wherever they’re located.
Otu who was represented by the Commissioner for Sports activities Growth, Hon. Agnes Atsu, remarked that when youths are engaged in sporting actions, they might be devoid of all types of criminality, therefore the necessity to develop skills among the many teeming youths whereas showcasing them to turning into international stars.
“Our concept is that individuals shouldn’t stay in Calabar and really feel authorities, so we attempt to take authorities right down to the agricultural communities.
“We hope to see one other marathon within the Northern Senatorial District, having held one already in Calabar, the Southern Senatorial District. All these are geared in direction of guaranteeing that the whole Cross Riverians witness what is called marathon,” the Governor remarked.
He disclosed that the occasion subsequent yr would take a unique form as the extent of sponsorship would enhance with extra athletes registering and taking part, even because the occasion can be was a world occasion.
For many who participated on the occasion, Otu inspired the contributors to maintain practising and stay resilient in sporting actions, if they need to win laurels.
“No person has misplaced, nobody is dropping. So long as you might have began and you might be finishing the race, you haven’t misplaced. For many who got here sooner than the remainder, I encourage you to do higher as a result of that is only a small one. For many who felt that they didn’t come first, resilience is what issues and I urge you to maintain practising to win the race subsequent time,” the governor suggested.
On the race correct, 35-year-old Plateau-born Nenfort Matthias Gofwen received the 42km race from Ikom-Ajasor-Agbokim and carted house N2 million, whereas Shehu Muazu Adamu and Nyango Gyang, each from Plateau emerged second and third positions, clinching N1 million and N750,000 respectively.
Within the feminine class for the 42km race, Blessing Solomon Shambor, who hails from Boki, emerged first, additionally carting house N2 million, whereas Delta-born Agofure Charity, who received her coaching in Plateau, got here second, going house with a prize of N1 million and Elizabeth Nuhu from Plateau emerged third, carting house N750,000.
For the 21km race (males class), Effiong Orok, Emeka John and Charles Umoh emerged first, second and third positions, respectively, whereas Godsmind Nelson, Perpetual Happiness Ofoke and Endurance Eteobong got here first, second and third, respectively, within the 21km females class.
Others who emerged victorious for the 10km classes had been Alexandar Saviour, Emmanuel Emmanuel and Agbor Abednego, arriving first, second and third,d, respectively.
For the females 10km class, Angel Nelson got here first, whereas Sophia Etim and Immaculata Odu emerged second and third, respectively.
Earlier, the Technical Director of Cross River Sports activities Fee, Nelson Eteng, maintained that the marathon race stays a dream that Cross Riverians have been trying as much as through the years, affirming that, “The residents are glad as the fact has lastly come.”
