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ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon kit distribution starts Wednesday

Published

2 years ago

December 10, 2023

The kit distribution for the 2023 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon will begin on Wednesday, December 13th, 2023, at the Food Court behind Eagles Square.
The distribution will run until Friday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM each day.

Registered and intending participants are encouraged to come to the Eagles Square to collect their running kits, number bibs, and goody bags.

Those who have not yet registered can do so on-site and receive their kit immediately.
Gabriel Okon, the Race Director, reminds runners who have registered online or filled out forms to come and collect their kits even if they haven’t received a notification.
The marathon will begin at 7:00 AM on Saturday, December 16th.

The half marathon will start in front of the ECOWAS Secretariat, while the 5km fun race will start at Bannex Plaza.

Okon appeals to Abuja residents to cooperate with officials from the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

Part of the route, passing through Asokoro and other parts of Abuja, including Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway up to Bannex Plaza and Eagles Square, will be closed to vehicle movement during the race.

He said: “While most roads will be completely closed, Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway will have limited traffic flow”
Okon urges residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to cooperate with security operatives.

He also reminds runners to arrive at the starting point of their race before 6:00 AM on December 16th, as security personnel will begin complete road closures in the area from that time.

As announced by the organisers, the winner of the half marathon will go home with $10,000; the second-placed runner will go home with $5,000 and the third-place runner $4,000.

The first ten finishers will go home with generous prize money. The fourth placed $3,500, fifth $3,000, sixth $2, 500, seventh $2000, eighth $1,500, ninth $1,200 and the tenth placed runner $1,000.

For the five-kilometer family and fun race the winner will go home with $750, second placed runner $500, third place runner $400 and fifth placed $200

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

Published

7 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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