Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN) President, Solomon Ogba, has commended Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, for investing heavily in the forthcoming Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.
Ogba predicted that the race will bring returns on investment to the Lagos economy through tourists that would visit Nigeria.
He said the race would also enable the state discover budding athletes who could be nurtured to become future stars.
He urged other governors to emulate the giant strides of Ambode especially in sports development.
“Lagos State is actually doing very well in sports development in the country and it will not be out of place to urge other state governments to emulate the good work of the state government.
“The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon race is another giant step by the state government to help develop sport in the state and the country in general,” Ogba said.
In order to make the race drug free, the General Manager of the Marathon, Yusuf Ali, said there would be a compulsory doping test for top finishers as the Nigeria Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), would be fully involved in the first full marathon in Nigeria in 30 years, so as to discourage performance enhancing drugs.
Ali disclosed that 10,000 transponders to capture running time would be acquired and officials of AFN and the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) would be trained to use them.
Over 65,000 forms have been distributed and about 20,000 athletes are expected to be on the starting blocks on Saturday, February 6.
The race starts at the gate of the National Stadium, Surulere, goes through Ojota and the Third Mainland Bridge, and ends at Eko Atlantic City.