By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON, Kaduna.
Marathoners from within and outside Kaduna State will storm the state in January 2017 to compete for eleven million Naira (N11m) cash prizes in the first Kaduna National Marathon (KNM) competition.
The competition which has the endorsement of the Kaduna State Government under the visionary and purposeful leadership of the Governor, Malam Nasir Ahmed el-Rufai, State Athletics Association (SAA) and the Athletic Federation of Nigeria(AFN) is tagged “Let’s run for peace and make Kaduna great again”.
According to the chairman of the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) and Special Adviser to the Commissioner Youth, Sports & Culture, Hon. Mukhtar Mohammad, the National Marathon event is part of Governor el- Rufai’s revival strategy for sports development in the state and the total streamlining and integration for National Unity through sports, which is globally acknowledged as the most unifying instrument.
The MOC chair in a statement said, the singular effort of the Governor predicates that his absolute readiness to restore the image of the state across the stages of social delivery needs our support as we collectively rally round his programmes for the benefit of all.
“In this first edition, the marathon will cover a distance of 21km, flagging off from Kaduna International Trade Fair Complex Zaria Road through the City of Kaduna via Stadium Roundabout to Kachia Road with a U-turn at UBA bank back to Stadium Roundabout through Constitution Road, Police Collage Roundabout, Gamji Gate, Tafawa Belewa way, to Race Course and Terminate at Murtala Square.
“It is on record that Kaduna State is synonymous with Sports and producing Champions, we are optimistic that in an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity, the experience will not only enhance the success of the event, but will also foster the creation of enabling environment to engage and discover budding talents.
“In line with the above, Kaduna State Government through the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture in-conjunction with Daylight Network; the main Promoter of the Kaduna National Marathon competition hereby solicit for Cooperate Sponsorship and Support in this important encounter aimed at unifying the people through corporate alliance, obligations and future sustainability – all in the spirit of National Peace and Corporate Excellence.
“I wish to also inform the business community and indeed corporate organizations that despite the good response we received from prospective individuals and sponsors, the marathon is still open to sponsorship negotiations
“Meanwhile, the State will be agog to host the 1st Kaduna National Marathon scheduled to hold on January 28, 2017. It is our conviction that Cooperate Organizations, Individuals, Federal and State will seize this golden opportunity to be part of this historic event”.
He said, the marathon is open to Nigerians (Male & Female) from all the states of the Federation including Abuja with over 10, 000 as anticipated number of participants to include National & Amateur Marathoners coming for the event.
” About 11Million Naira Cash Prizes and Consolations Awards await the Winners, however, the process of participation require that a willing to participate marathoner will need to purchase N2000 scratch card and log on to www.kadunamarathon.com for registration and automatically a code is provided which will serve as the participants number” he stated.
