Sports
2,500 Runners Battle for $70,000, As Second Edition of ECOWAS Marathon Holds In Abuja Tomorrow
Joel Ajayi
All is set for the second edition of the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon scheduled for Saturday, December 16, 2023. According to the event organisers, athletes from 15 members of ECOWAS will compete with elite runners from Kenya, Ethiopia, China, Korea and others for a total prize money of $70,000.
Briefing the media on Friday in Abuja, the Director, Youth and Sports Development, ECOWAS, Ambassador Francis Njoaguani, said the race is beyond just sports and its health benefits but to create around ECOWAS in Nigeria as well as promoting sports for integration in the West Africa sub-region.
“According to him, the idea was beyond the sports and health benefits of the marathon. There is also the need to create some awareness around ECOWAS in Nigeria where the ECOWAS headquarters is located. We all know that in Abuja ECOWAS has several institutions.
“The ECOWAS Commission where we are today is the main institution of the ECOWAS. In Abuja, we also have the ECOWAS Parliament as well as the ECOWAS Court of Justice and of course recently, ECOWAS Office of the Auditor General. So all four key institutions of ECOWAS are located here in Abuja which is the more reason why there is need to have that visibility for ECOWAS while promoting sports for integration. And that is all the idea behind the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon.
“This is the second edition which means the first edition has been held successfully. It was held in December 2019 with the collaboration of the FCT Sports Department. Attempt to hold the second edition was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. But we are back with full force with our partners, the FCT Sports Department, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and others.
“For this edition, we have two races; the Half Marathon and the 5km Road Race. The winners, male and female in the Half Marathon will get $10,000 each and a gold medal, first runners-up, $5,000 each and a silver medal and the second runners-up, $4,000 each and a bronze medal. The first position in the Road Race will get $750, second position$500 and third position $400. Also, the first 200 runners to reach the finish line will get bronze medals each,” Njoaguani said.
Race Director, Coach Gabriel Okon, while corroborating Njoaguani’s submission every technical aspects that has to do with the race has been properly taken care of.
“As the Ambassador has rightly said, this race was conceived about five years ago and thank God that the second edition will hold tomorrow (Saturday).
“The half marathon is 21.098km and if you look at full marathon, it is 42.195km. This is half marathon. We have some runners who are coming. The Ethiopians, the Kenyans, two males and two females. The marathon race rules will be aligned with the rules and regulations of the World Athletics (WA) and Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).”
However, Half Marathon will start at 07:00 am in front of the ECOWAS Secretariat, the 5km Road Race will commence at Banex Plaza. The ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon has been a powerful tool of youth empowerment and engagement and it has had powerful impacts on the FCT economy especially the hospitality and allied industries while also acting as catalyst to boost tourism in the nation’s capital.
Sports
AACT 2026: Babagirei-Ahmad Assures Visitors of Smooth Visa Processing, Warm Welcome
By Joel Ajayi
With nine days to the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT), Chairperson of the Visa, Airport Reception and Protocol Committee, Zulaiha Babagirei-Ahmad, has assured participating countries and other visitors of smooth visa processing and a warm reception ahead of the continental women’s golf championship.
Babagirei-Ahmad said preparations were progressing smoothly, with her committee working closely with relevant agencies and stakeholders to ensure a seamless arrival experience for golfers, team officials and other delegates expected in Nigeria.
She noted that the committee was committed to providing a welcoming atmosphere and efficient protocol services that would make the stay of visitors memorable while showcasing Nigeria’s renowned hospitality
With about 30 African countries expected to participate in the championship, the committee is coordinating visa arrangements, airport reception and other logistical requirements to facilitate the arrival and movement of international guests.
According to her, the objective goes beyond ensuring smooth entry into the country, as the committee is determined to make every visitor feel welcome from the moment they arrive in Abuja.
She added that the championship offers Nigeria an opportunity to strengthen relationships among African nations, promote unity through sport and showcase the country’s capacity to host major international sporting events.
The 2026 edition will be the third time Nigeria has hosted the All Africa Challenge Trophy, following the 1996 championship at Ikoyi Club 1938 in Lagos and the 2010 edition at the IBB International Golf & Country Club in Abuja.
The tournament is scheduled to hold from November 2 to 7 at the IBB International Golf & Country Club, Abuja, under the slogan, “Uniting Africa Through the Greens.”
With preparations entering the final stretch, Babagirei-Ahmad expressed confidence that the committee would deliver efficient visa coordination, effective airport reception and quality protocol services to ensure a pleasant experience for all visitors.
As the countdown continues, Nigeria is preparing to welcome Africa’s golfing community to Abuja for a championship expected to celebrate sporting excellence, friendship and continental unity.
9 DAYS TO GO!
AACT 2026: UNITING AFRICA THROUGH THE GREENS.
AFRICA IS COMING TO ABUJA!
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