Sports

ENUGU CITY MARATHON: 4 Days To Go! When Enugu Laces Up, The World Watches

Published

1 month ago

August 25, 2026

The countdown is real now. In just 4 days, Saturday, 28th August 2026, the heartbeat of Coal City will change. Sirens will give way to starting guns. Traffic will give way to thousands of footsteps. And Enugu will step into the spotlight once again for the 2nd Enugu City International Marathon.

This is more than a race on a calendar. This is a city deciding to tell its own story, on its own terms.

Marathons are never just about who crosses the line first. They’re about the journey it takes to get there.

The Enugu City Marathon Expo started yesterday and runners are already picking up kits, connecting with brands, and feeling the race day energy build.

In 4 days, you’ll see the elite athlete who traveled across continents chasing glory and a new record. You’ll see the Enugu nurse who trained at 5am before hospital shifts. You’ll see the university student running his first 10km because a friend dared him to. You’ll see mothers, fathers, and kids lining the streets with water, flags, and that unmistakable Enugu hospitality.

Every person on that route will be carrying something, a goal, a memory, a reason. And together, they will carry Enugu forward.

For weeks, the signs have been there. Banners across major roads. Conversations in buses. “Which part of the route are you watching from?”

Now the final pieces are locking in.
Route officials are doing last checks. Security and medical teams are fully briefed. Volunteers are ready to guide, cheer, and support.

The International Conference Center will host the World Press Conference and serve as the media hub where the world gets its updates live.

And the world will be listening.
Top media houses including Arise TV, Channels TV, AIT have confirmed coverage. From Lagos to London, from Abuja to Atlanta, people will see what Enugu looks like when it runs.

A city that hosts an international marathon is a city that’s open for business, open for tourism, and open for possibilities.

This race puts Enugu on sports maps. It brings visitors who will eat in our restaurants, stay in our hotels, and leave with stories about our people. It creates jobs. It inspires health. It gives young athletes something to aim for.

Year one was our introduction. Year two is our statement. This is your official reminder: Pick your viewing spot. Call your friends. Set your alarm for Saturday morning. Tune in. Post. Cheer. Share. Because you don’t have to be wearing running shoes to be part of history. You just have to show up.

Enugu is ready to run. The athletes are ready to give everything. The cameras are ready to roll.

The only thing left is you. Let’s make Saturday, 28th August, a day Coal City never forgets.

Share on Facebook

Sports

NSC DG, Olopade Celebrates Nigeria at 66, Assures of More Progressive Sports Development Under President Tinubu

Published

11 hours ago

October 1, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has congratulated Nigerians as the nation celebrates its 66th Independence Anniversary, describing the milestone as a reflection of Nigeria’s resilience, unity and remarkable capacity to excel on the global stage, particularly through sports.

Hon. Olopade said Nigeria at 66 is an occasion every Nigerian should be proud of, noting that despite the challenges encountered over the years, the country has continued to make significant progress and produce achievements capable of inspiring generations.

The DG said the sports sector has particular reasons to celebrate, pointing to a series of performances and milestones by Nigerian athletes and teams across the global sporting landscape.

“Today, we celebrate the resilience of our people, the strength of our unity and our belief in the promise of our great country, especially through sports.

“As we raise our flag with pride, may we remain committed to building a nation where every Nigerian has the opportunity to dream, thrive and succeed.”

Hon. Olopade said the progress being witnessed in Nigerian sports aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Development (RHINSE), which he said is focused on creating a stronger and more sustainable pathway for athletes, while positioning sports as a tool for national development, youth empowerment and global recognition.

He pointed to Nigeria’s outstanding performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as one of the latest examples of the country’s sporting potential. Team Nigeria returned from Glasgow with 24 medals, comprising 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze, finishing seventh overall and as the highest-ranked African nation at the Games. The campaign also produced three world records and a number of historic milestones across para powerlifting, athletics, weightlifting, para athletics and judo.

Among the standout performances was that of Team Nigeria captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who won gold in para powerlifting and twice broke the world record during the competition, ultimately lifting 175kg. Goodness Nwachukwu also successfully defended her Commonwealth title in the women’s para discus and set a new world record, while Nigeria recorded historic Commonwealth gold medals through Samuel Ogazi in the men’s 400m, Ezekiel Nathaniel in the men’s 400m hurdles and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi in the men’s shot put.

“Today, Nigeria is a global force in para-sports, and athletes such as Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Goodness Nwachukwu continue to demonstrate the extraordinary talent and determination that exist within our country,” Hon. Olopade said.

He also celebrated the continued dominance of D’Tigress, Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, which in 2025 became the first nation to win five consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket titles after defeating Mali 78-64 in the final in Abidjan in the last edition. The achievement extended Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games and secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup pathway.

On the global athletics scene, Hon. Olopade highlighted the continued excellence of Tobi Amusan and the emergence of a new generation of Nigerian sprinters. Amusan won silver in the women’s 100m hurdles at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest in September 2026, clocking 12.34 seconds in the final, while Kayinsola Ajayi added another significant milestone by winning Commonwealth bronze in the men’s 100m and helping Nigeria to bronze in the men’s 4x100m relay in Glasgow.

Nigeria’s football heritage, Hon. Olopade noted, remains another major source of national pride. The country holds the record for the most FIFA U-17 World Cup titles, with five championships won by the Golden Eaglets in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.

He also pointed to the country’s growing influence in emerging sports, including flag football. Nigeria made history by winning both the men’s and women’s titles at the inaugural IFAF Africa Flag Football Championship in Cairo in 2025, earning qualification for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.

“These achievements across athletics, para-sports, basketball, football, weightlifting, flag football and other sports remind us that Nigeria possesses immense sporting talent,” the DG said.

“From our champions who continue to break world records to our young athletes who are announcing themselves on the international stage, the Nigerian flag continues to fly with pride around the world. This is why the development of sports must remain a national priority. Our responsibility is not only to celebrate champions after they emerge, but to build the systems, facilities, competitions and opportunities that allow more young Nigerians to become champions.”

“As we celebrate 66 years of our independence, we celebrate Nigeria’s past, but we must also look confidently toward the future. Our athletes have shown us what is possible when talent meets opportunity, preparation and support. The task before us is to ensure that more Nigerians have that opportunity,” the DG added.

“On behalf of the National Sports Commission, I wish all Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary. May our great nation continue to grow in strength, unity, prosperity and sporting excellence,” Hon. Olopade concluded.

Share on Facebook