The management of Nigeria’s premium Marathon races organisers, Nilayo Sports Management, led by its Managing Director, Chief Bukola Olopade, on Thursday, February 9, 2023 signed a contract deal that would see the birth of the Abuja City International Marathon.
In the words of the Nigeria’s Marathon Generaliso,the Abuja City International Marathon, which is a full marathon of 42 kilometres, has been approved by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and the Ministry of Sports, Youths and Social development.
Nilayo Sports Management, the biggest organisers of Marathon races in Africa and indeed in Nigeria, signed the multi-billion naira contract to organise the Abuja City International Marathon on October 7, 2023, a date that had already been announced by the organisers.
The Nilayo Sports Management Limited boss noted that, the target is to have a second Gold-Label status full marathon race in Nigeria especially in the beautiful city of Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital city.
The main sponsor of the race would also be unveiled in an elaborate ceremony, where the prize money, the class of runners, the route and other world class incentives will be announced for the Abuja City International Marathon.
“It would be most delightful to have one full marathon each in the Nigeria’s financial capital and the nations capital. By the time, the Abuja City International Marathon attains the Gold Label Marathon status, Nigeria would have become one of the very few countries in the world, with two Gold-Label races, in one country. This is a rare attribute in road running in the world. This would tremendously boost the status of Nigeria, and that is what we have been talking about, “said Olopade.
