Caretaker Chairman, Ogbomoso South local government area, Hon Oyedokun Oyeniyi Timothy has called for more private sector participation in the organisation of Ogbomoso Marathon Race, noting that the event has immense potential to discover talents and boost tourism economy of Ogbomoso and Oyo state.
Oyedokun who gave the charge while speaking with journalists at the end of the race, held in Ogbomoso, was among the dignitaries in attendance before the race commenced, including President athletics federation of Nigeria, Hon Olumide George and other top government officials.
He said, “Our interest in sustaining the road race is part of the commitment to drive sports development and boost tourism in Ogbomoso South local government area and Ogbomoso as a whole.”
Oyedokun stressed that, “As the LG boss of Ogbomoso South local government, I will continue to build on infrastructure to improve the life of the people in our community. I will leverage on the opportunity of hosting the race to promote the local culture of my people, as our tourism sector will benefit from this event, which will also open our local government area to tourists from across the globe in the near future.”
He noted that government would continue to provide the needed support to ensure that the organisers maintain the set standards and continue to improve the race. As he hailed the state government for their support over the maiden edition of the competition, noting that that next year’s edition will show improvement in terms of security, media and community mobilisation.
He said, “In my own capacity as the caretaker chairman of Ogbomoso South local government, I gave all the necessary support both in cash and other logistics. Am also calling on the private sector to invest in the Ogbomoso 10km Marathon race as it is already a big business with high volume of trade and commercial potentials for private actors to take advantage of.”
Kareem Rahmon (male), Mary Ajayi(female) won the Ogbomosho Marathon Race. Rahmon Kareem an indigene of Ogbomosho land won the maiden edition with good time 34:44 minutes.
The Young lad who made it to the finish with enthusiasm for winning more championship said “I’m happy I won this maiden edition and the guy who came second pushed me to winning the race because I had to meet up with his pace.”
“In this life we have to start from somewhere l, I have started today and I wish to continue where I stopped in the subsequent championship”
The Second position of the Ogbomosho Marathon Race goes to Adetiba Abiodun with 34:35 and the Third position goes to Adeyemi tunde with 35:34.
In addition, the female category was won by a 17 years University of Lagos Human Kinetics student Mary Ajayi with 43:37.
In her reaction, she said winning the 10km race was her aim and she achieved it.
Also Present at the event is the Caretaker chairman Ogbomoso South West LCDA, Hon Amusan Damilare, Caretaker Chairman Ogbomoso Central LCDA, Hon Seun Adeyinka, former CAF executive member Dr Amos Adamu, the representatives of the Minister for youth and Sports Development Mr Kola Daniel, representatives of Oyo state commissioner for youth, the media aide to the minister , traditional rulers in the city.
