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Athletic: 29 Days Okpekpe Race, Organizer Promise Better outing

Published

6 years ago

April 26, 2019

Athletic: 29 Days Okpekpe Race, Organizer Promise Better outing

Joel Ajayi

With less than 29 days to the start of the seventh Okpekpe International 10km road race in Okpekpe, a rural and hilly town in Etsako East local government area of Edo state, Nigeria

The race’s Director of Organization, Zack Amodu, has confident of a bigger and better race organized in strict accordance with International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) competition rules.

Amodu who is confident organizers will pull off another world class event on May 25, 2019.

The race, elevated by the IAAF to a silver label status last year will however hold with the aim of getting it upgraded to a first ever gold label road race in West Africa by next year.

According to him, this year’s race will be organized with a gold label template because we have applied for a gold label status for next year’s race.

“We have the experience and the trust by the IAAF that we can deliver a world class race. Right from the inaugural edition of the race we have proved to be up to the task as far as the technical organization of the race is concerned and this was recognized by the IAAF who first granted us a bronze label status in 2015, the first ever in Nigeria nay West Africa.

“We also proved we can organize a label event without supervision and the result is the elevation to a silver label status.”

He equally reveals that the race are not unaware of the new changes that have been made to the IAAF Label regulations for 2019 and the fact that all label races must have a minimum of six men and six women from the pool of athletes whose status corresponds to the Label being applied for.

“This will ensure that a Gold Label race, for example, has at least 12 of the world’s 300 best specialists at that particular distance.”

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

5 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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