The 9th edition of the Okpekpe 10KM road race has been confirmed for May 27, 2023, by the organizers and this time it will be coming in a new dimension.
At a press conference on Thursday afternoon at the Edo State government house, the organizers cited that the race is now labelled ‘Gold’ and that it will be living up to its billings and its status.
From the press conference that had in attendance Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu, Chairman Edo State Sports Commission, Comrade Yussuf Alli (OLY), Permanent Secretary of Edo State Sports Commission, Mrs Sabina Chikere, the Organizer, Mr. Mike Itemuagbor and other members of the organizing committee.
The new ‘Gold Labelled ‘ road race will according to the organizers be having some innovations that will benefit all participants in the first Africa road race with the status label.
Amongst what we anticipate at the marathon includes
1. Elite athletes from over ten countries will be coming around especially, Berihu Aregawi of Ethiopia.
The elites would come into the country through Lagos on the 23rd of May and by the 24th, they will all move to Auchi – they will have three full days there so that they can know more about the environment. They will leave on the 28th.
2. Accreditation
It will be handled by foreign partners who have special software designed in a way that if a runner doesn’t have the running beeb and chip on, such an individual won’t be recognized as a runner. Once you are captured, you are registered. This accreditation will be on for about five days.
3. Number of chips
This will be connected to the main board and the moment it connects with the mat, it sends a signal to the decoder. This means that the moment you enter a bus or take a bike, your data will be void because there will be no contact between you and those mats.
4.
Media
Apart from the media activation which includes reporting, Social Media, some of the students of Uzairue University will be given practical experience (especially for mass communication students who want to venture into journalism after school.
Physical and Health Education students would be part of the officiating officials as volunteers. This is to give them practical experience before graduating. This also includes those who are in Public Administration.
Social Media will be maximally used to make it go viral all over the world, where people can watch everything.
5. Maximum Security
The deputy governor has assured everyone that the organizers have in place plans to complement what’s on the ground to give everyone participating in the marathon maximum security – one of the core requirements by the World Athletics.
6. Running for a course
Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu has called on well-meaning Nigerians to join forces with the annual Okpekpe road race to help people with various health challenges or social challenges get through it.
The deputy governor remarked during the 9th Okpekpe 10km road race press conference held at the conference hall, office of the Edo State Deputy Governor, and the organizers revealed that the Gold Labelled road race will witness innovations that will make it live up to its billings as a gold labelled race.
Shaibu who commended the organizers of the gold label road race said the target of the government and the organizers is to see the first road race with label status in Africa be amongst the best in the world and use it to create bigger opportunities for people of the state.
Sport is a tool to deal with social vices and make people see why they must do certain things the way it is said. Sports sharpens one’s horizon, knowledge, and physical and mental state.
Beyond running for the price, high-ranking citizens will be among them who will be running for a course – Cancer, HIV, Development, Drug Abuse and all that.
Interestingly, the Edo State deputy governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu has registered to run for a course and he has gotten his response. He will be encouraging others who won’t be running for a price to come and run for a course and by doing that, they will be supporting those who are victims of the course so that they can get out of it.
So, this year, the sports-loving deputy governor will be running for public awareness, why people need to take care of their health, early check for cancer and what can help them to take care of it. Cancer as a case doesn’t kill only if it’s detected early but if not detected early, such hasn’t been going for checks.
Shaibu will be using his running for cancer in partnership with UBTH to create awareness and free screening for people to check for cancer.”
7. Government support
The States governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki has reiterated his unflinching support for the race which has attracted the attention of top athletes and followers across the world.
Through the deputy governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, Obaseki assured that his government will continue to partner with the organisers so that this race can live to its name and billing – they want to get to the apex of road races in the world and by the grace of God, we will get there.