Sports

Abuja International Marathon 5km race is open but prizes are for students

Published

2 years ago

April 20, 2023

Joel Ajayi

Only students from Nigeria secondary schools, either private or government-owned, who are 17 years or below are the only ones eligible for prizes to be awarded to winners of the 5km Student Race in the Abuja International Marathon slated for April 29, 2023.

Speaking to the media in Abuja on Thursday FCT Director of School Sports Adamu Hashimu said the essence of the 5km race is to encourage our youth to embrace road races and marathons,

“Nigerians who are familiar with the performances of our people will remember that when the world record in the marathon was 2 hours: 08 minutes, Nigerians like Abass Mohammed and Yohanna Waziri were running 2 hours 14 hours a very good time that has won about seven editions of the Lagos Marathon. In the FCT Sports Department, we have our own Hulda Nwokocha who once placed 5^th in the marathon at the World Universities Games.

“So, we need to start a development program that see our students especially those from the Northern part of Nigeria, who have similar physiological traits with Kenyans and Ethiopians, embrace the culture of marathon and road races at a tender age”

Hashimu also said that before prizes are paid the race organizers, Unicentral Resources Generation Limited and FCTA will confirm the information on the entry form of the winners from their respective schools.

The Abuja International Marathon, the first international marathon in Abuja and FCT will hold on April 29, 2023.

The race is in three categories: the 5km Students Race, the 10km Family Run and the 42.195 km Full Marathon.

The race starts at the City Gate and ends at Eagles Square.

Build-up activities begin on Friday, April 21, 2023, with the Marathon Expo at The Pavilion, beside International Conference Center opposite Radio House.

The Expo opens at 9 am and ends at 6 pm.

Registration which is free is still going on at the Expo venue, the office of Unicentral at Ogun House, CDB Abuja, and the Sports Department of FCT, also intending runners can simply register at abujainternationalmarathon.com.

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Sports

NVBF President, Engr Nimrod Urges Families to Embrace Healthy Living at HOBA Novelty Sports

Published

10 hours ago

October 6, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Engineer Musa Nimrod, has called on Nigerian families to adopt healthy living habits through regular participation in sporting and fitness activities.

Nimrod made the call on Sunday during the third edition of the Hoba Development Association, Abuja Chapter, novelty sports event held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

He noted that physical activities such as sports are vital to fostering family bonds, community interaction, and overall well-being.

“The rate of health-related incidents such as slumping is increasing, but regular exercise helps improve the health of both parents and children,” he said. “Events like this bring families together, allowing parents and children to interact and know each other better.”

Also speaking, the stand-in Chairman of the Hoba Community, Barrister Nathan Naandeti, highlighted the significance of the annual novelty games, describing them as a unifying platform for members of the community.

“It’s something we do every year to promote unity, togetherness, and fitness among our people. Sports is part of who we are,” he stated.

Men, women, and children from the Hoba community participated in various sporting activities, including volleyball, badminton, football, and aerobics—all aimed at encouraging relaxation, fitness, and bonding among families.

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