By Victor Okoye
Abuja, June 30, 2022 (NAN) No fewer than sixty elite athletes from several African countries are expected to feature in the maiden edition of the Abuja International Marathon (AIM) scheduled to debut on Dec. 17.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that AIM, is a strategic alliance between the Federal Capital
Territory Administration (FCTA), Unicentral Resources Generation Nigeria Limited and Corporate Nigeria.
It would be the first full international marathon of such magnitude ever to be hosted in Nigeria’s capital city.
Femi Abegunde, the Project Coordinator, told newsmen at a press briefing on Thursday in Abuja, that the marathon would feature both foreign and local athletes competing for a whopping 185,000 dollars prize money.
Abegunde said the goal of AIM was to be the first
race in the world to win the prestigious World Athletics Label after its first edition.
He said to achieve this, 89 per cent of the elite runners to be officially invited for the race would be Gold Label Runners.
“The 42 km race (full marathon) for men and women will begin from the City Gate through the interesting parts of the FCT and end at the Eagles Square, with 60 elite runners as well local athletes with the winners are expected to share a 185,000 dollars prize money purse.
“The distribution of the prize money is as follows: First position – 50,000 dollars, second position – 40,000 dollars, third position – 30,000 dollars, fourth position – 20,000 dollars and fifth position – 15,000 dollars.
“Others include: sixth position – 10,000 dollars, seventh position – 8,000 dollars, eight position – 6,000 dollars, ninth position – 4,000 dollars and tenth position – 2,000 dollars.
“Our target is to also ensure that AIM becomes a qualifier for the Olympics Games, World Athletics
Championships, and the Abbott World Marathon Majors (Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago Tokyo and New York City), within three years.
“All finishers of AIM will get a medal and certificate signed by the FCT Minister of State, Ramatu Aliyu, who is the lead promoter,” he said.
He revealed that the theme of the maiden edition is ‘A Race for Unity’, adding that the marathon aims to foster unity and increase FCT residents’ general well-being because of the immense health benefits of running, jogging and general exercise.
“AIM aspires to be the unique event that everyone anticipates, drawing runners, the international media and tourists to witness a world-class event in Nigeria.
“The race which has been endorsed by President Muhammadu Buhari endorses the race, including the cream of the society, from the Presidency, State Governors, L e g i s l a t o r s , M i n i s t e r s ,
Diplomats, Business Executives, will project the FCT as a contemporary firstclass city and territory,” he said.
Zsuszanna Ogunmiloyo, CEO of Unicentral Resources
Generation Nigeria Ltd., AIM’s Managing Director said the idea of the marathon was to showcase the City, attract investors, boost tourism and the economy.
“I am delighted that after three years of planning and hardwork by a dedicated team from Unicentral and FCT, AIM has moved from an idea to a reality.
“Our desire is to build a race that can compete and rival the best in the world like New York and London in record time.
“The journey to the first international marathon in our great city, Abuja begins today.
“I am therefore appealing to all residents of FCT and Nigerians in general, to join hands with us to ensure we have a world-class race that will sell FCT and Nigeria to the world as a tourists destination,” she said.
Also speaking, Thomas Olukayode, Head of Media said that there would be a special ₦8,850 million prize money purse set aside for the local full marathon athletes (men and women).
“The distribution of the prize money for the local full marathon athletes is as follows: First position – ₦3 million, second position – ₦2 million and third position – ₦1 million.
“Others include: fourth – ₦750,000, fifth – ₦600,000, sixth – ₦500,000, seventh – ₦400,000, eight – ₦300,000, ninth – ₦200,000 and tenth – ₦100,000.
“The event will also feature a 5km road race for men and women with a ₦1,150 million prize money purse.
“The distribution of the prize money purse is as follows: First position – ₦500,000, second- ₦300,000, third – ₦200,000, fourth – ₦100,000 and fifth – ₦50,000 respectively,” he said.
He noted that AIM had zero-tolerance for the use of performance-enhancing drugs by the runners, adding that the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) would randomly select runners for dope tests.
“In line with the World Athletics’ rules and regulations, winners of prize money, especially elite runners, will not be paid until the dope tests results are released,” he said.
Olukayode said the organisers also intend to use the marathon to wet Nigerian youth’s appetite, especially those of Northern extraction, who like their East African counterparts, are hugely talented in the marathon and road races.
“Indeed, if there had been races like AIM in the country in the 1980s or 1990s, Nigerian marathon
stars like Abass Muhammed and Yohanna Waziri would have gotten the support they needed then to be world champions.
“Equally cheering is the interest our marathon is generating across the world. We have received several heartwarming messages from individuals as well as corporate bodies who want to compete or partner with us,” he said.
He also called on more individuals, corporate bodies as well as blue-chip companies to come on board, adding that, a beautiful city with ex c e l l e n t r o a d n e t w o r k like Abuja deserved an international marathon that would showcase her beauty to the world.
NAN also reports that some of the dignitaries present at the event were Sen. Ayo Akinyelure, a representative of the National Assembly, Hadiza Abubakar, representative of the FCT Minister, Lucas Istafanos, the FCT Director of Sports. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
