Sports
Nilayo Sports Management Commends Enugu Govt, Sponsors, Residents for Successful Marathon
Following the successful hosting of the 2nd edition of the Enugu City International Marathon, Nilayo Sports Management has sent a message of appreciation to the Enugu State Government, sponsors, and residents of the state for their support in making the race a resounding success.
The CEO of Nilayo Sports Management, Mrs. Yetunde Olopade, made this known while speaking with journalists after the event.
She commended Governor Barr. Peter Mbah for his leadership, vision, and commitment to positioning Enugu as a hub for sports tourism and international athletics in Nigeria.
“The Governor’s support was exceptional. From logistics to security and hospitality, the Enugu State Government showed that it is ready to host world-class events. We are truly grateful,” Olopade said.
Mrs. Olopade also gave special recognition to the official sponsors who powered the 2nd edition.
“We cannot talk about the success of this marathon without mentioning our sponsors. To 7Up through Aquafina, Afia TV, Pinnacle, Power Oil, and Enugu Air, thank you for believing in the Enugu City International Marathon. Your support in hydration, media coverage, branding, and logistics ensured that we delivered a world-class experience for our athletes and spectators. We deeply appreciate your partnership,” she said.
She equally appreciated the people of Enugu for turning out in large numbers to cheer the runners and for the warm reception accorded athletes and visitors during the event.
“The energy from the people of Enugu was incredible. The cheers along the route, the hospitality, and the sense of pride in the city made this marathon memorable for all the athletes. This is what makes Enugu special,” she added.
The 2nd edition of the Enugu City International Marathon, held on Saturday, featured over 3,000 participants across the 42KM and 10KM races and has been widely described as one of the best-organized road races in Nigeria this year.
Nilayo Sports Management, organizers of the marathon in partnership with the Enugu State Government, said plans are already underway to make the 2027 edition bigger.
Sports
Tinubu, Fashola, Governors, UNESCO, Sports Leaders to Headline National Grassroots Sports Summit
Joel Ajayi
The stage is being set for a landmark gathering at the Presidential Villa as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, and leading figures from government, sports administration and international development feature in the proposed opening-day programme of the National Grassroots Sports Development Summit 2026.
In a statement signed by Thursday by the Chairperson Media Sub-com National Grassroot Sports Summit Dr. (Mrs.) Kehinde Ajayi stated that, the two-day Summit, scheduled for November 18–19, 2026, at the Banquet Hall, State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja, is being organized by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Hon. Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye.
With the theme “Creating a New Pathway for Sustainable Grassroots Sports Development,” the gathering seeks to produce practical solutions to Nigeria’s longstanding challenges in talent discovery, infrastructure, funding, coaching and athlete development.
The opening day, Wednesday, November 18, promises high-level engagement, with President Tinubu listed as Special Guest of Honour, while Fashola is scheduled to deliver a keynote address.
Also featuring in the Day One programme is Dr. Tayo Aduloju, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), whose organization has been engaged as technical partner to help translate discussions into a workable development roadmap.
Other personalities and institutions on the opening-day lineup include the Chairman and Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko and Hon. Bukola Olopade; the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum; the President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON); and the Head of Office and UNESCO Representative to Nigeria.
Also listed are Barrister Enitan Oshodi, President of the African Table Tennis Federation; the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee; and Dr. Musa Nakorji of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Research Department.
The involvement of these personalities reflects the Summit’s emphasis on connecting sports development with economic planning, education, grassroots governance, international cooperation and private-sector investment.
Adeboye described the gathering as an opportunity to move Nigerian sports beyond isolated achievements towards a coordinated national development system.
“The real question is not whether Nigeria has sporting talent.
We know we have talent in abundance. The question is how we build a system that discovers, nurtures and supports that talent consistently, from our communities and schools to the international stage,” he said.
He stressed that the participation of state governments, local councils, development institutions and sports administrators would be critical to producing lasting outcomes.
The Summit will continue on Thursday, November 19, with further stakeholder engagements aimed at developing actionable recommendations for sustainable grassroots sports development with preparations intensifying, organizers are confident that the gathering will provide a defining platform for strengthening the foundation of Nigerian sports and expanding opportunities for young people nationwide.
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