Nigerian athletes win top prizes in Lotus Bank 10km race
Francis James and Ogun Deputy Governor with Female winners
Published By: Ayorinde Oluokun
By Adejoke Adeleye/ Ogun
Nigerian athletes on Saturday won the top positions in the 10 – Kilometre Lotus Bank Marathon race held in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State.
Kenya athletes came first, second and third in the 2023 edition of the marathon competition.
However, Plateau born Francis James won the 10- kilometre Lotus Bank race on Saturday to unseat Kenyan Peter Nwaniki who won the race in 2023.
James breasted the end tape at 30 minutes 11 seconds to win the marathon race while Gyang Raymond came second at 30 minutes 14 seconds. Coupang David Boyi also from Plateau state,Ismael Sodijo and Adamu Shehu came third and fourth at 30:54 and 31:11 respectively.
In the female category, Blessing Shambaz came first with her time best of 35 minutes 58 seconds, Daylop Patience came second with 36 minutes 51 seconds.
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While in the Wheel chair race, Chula Muritala Enweren came first and Adefala Nofisat came second. In male category, Sola Opalaye emerged winner , Sefiu Ojeleye came second and Akannì Jelili took third position
Meanwhile the Chief Executive Officer of Niyola Sport Management Limited , Chief Bukola Olopade during the media Parley on Friday had optimized that he wish Nigerian would win the Lotus Bank marathon race at least for the first time.
He said “I hope that Nigerian athletes would emerged winners going by the facts that past editions were won by foreign athletes”.
Speaking at the event, Governor Dapo Abiodun who was represented by his deputy, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele said his administration would continue to partner various stakeholders towards the development of sports in the state.
Governor Abiodun commended the organisers of the Lotus Bank race for their continued efforts to sustain the competition which he described as good step ahead of the National Sports Festival.
The initiator of the race, Chief Bukola Olopade said plans were on to ensure that the organisers of Abeokuta marathon race get a bronze label from the International Athletics Federation ahead of the 5th edition of the race.
