The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Saturday said the Lagos City Marathon has come to stay.
This was just as Ambode promised that the state government will work towards making the competition the best of its kind in the world.
The Governor, who spoke at the finish point of the Marathon at the Eko Atlantic City, expressed delight at the massive turn out of international and local athletes for the marathon, saying that Lagos State was proud to join major cities in the world to promote the event.
He said: “Lagos State is glad to host athletes from different parts of the world today as we flag off the Lagos City Marathon.
“The last time this event held was 30 years ago.
“I stand here to tell you today that this event is here to stay.
“We are committed to sustaining this event and ensuring consistent improvement to make it one of the best marathons in the world.”
Governor Ambode said his administration remains determined to make the state the hub of sports in Africa, adding that it will embrace other international sports, while Lagos State will bid to host continental and international sports tournaments going forward.
Speaking to journalists shortly after presenting awards to the winners, Governor Ambode said government, with the marathon, combined entertainment, sports and hospitality to create jobs for the people and allow the youths to engage themselves positively.
He said: “We are proving it.
“This is just the beginning.
“We would double the scale of it next year and then we would make it more interesting than ever before.
“This is a world class event and Lagos is back on the map of the world as a choice destination for tourist and investment, as a sports centre and as an entertainment hub and that is what we are committed to doing.”
Also speaking at the event, the Vice President of the International Association of Athletics Federation, Colonel Hamad Malboum, thanked the organisers for putting up a sterling show.
Malboum promised that IAAF will partner with the state to make the marathon the most remarkable athletics event in Africa and the world.
In the same vein, the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Hon. Solomon Dalung, expressed appreciation to Ambode.
Dalung said Ambode, by his actions, is trying to repossess the lost glory of the state.
He recalled that during the yuletide period, the Governor spent a whole night at a fiesta held in Lagos, which, according to him, has launched the state to take the lead in the entertainment industry.
He said: “I believe this is not an accident, but rather a part of the concerted efforts of the Lagos State Government to play a major role in leading sports.
“The turnout and registration for this event attests to the fact that Nigerians love sports and that all Nigerians need is an enabling environment to express their potentials.”
On his part, the Managing Director of Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe, whose organisation is the major sponsor of the Lagos City Marathon, said they were proud of the opportunity to collaborate with the state government to empower the people with a sense of history.
Wigwe said his organisation will continue to collaborate with the state government to make the tournament bigger and better, adding that next year’s edition will take place on February 11, 2017.
Some of the athletes also commended the organisers of the marathon for making adequate logistics to ensure a hitch free and successful tournament.
One of the athletes, Lekan Taiwo, said: “I am really impressed with the Lagos State Government.
“From the take off point, it was obvious that a lot has been put into the planning of this event.
“I saw ambulances, traffic control officers at strategic locations and even street sweepers were on ground to clear the waste generated from the participants.
“We had people coming out to cheer us up.
“This is commendable.”
In the male category, Kenyan Abraham Kipton was the first to breast the tape at 2 hours 16 minutes 19 seconds to win the grand prize of $50,000, while his compatriot, Kipkemboi Hosea, came second posting a time of 2 hours 16 minutes 34 seconds to cart home a $40,000 prize.
Debebe Tolosa of Ethiopia finished third with a time of 2 hours 16 minutes 40 seconds and went home with $30,000.
In the female category, Halima Huseen Kayo of Ethiopia finished first in 2 hours 38 minutes and 32 seconds, while Alice Timbilil from Kenya came second in a time of 2 hours 38 minutes and 49 seconds, with Aberash Feyase from Ethiopia finishing third in a time of 2 hours 39 minutes and nine seconds.
