Kaduna Marathon 2020 organisers have appointed national record holder, Abass Mohammed, and ex-national champion Yohanna Waziri as Goodwill Ambassadors to promote the maiden international marathon race.
Also appointed for the Marathon race billed to hold on November 21 in Kaduna are soccer legends and former Super Eagles stars Dahiru Sadi (MFR), Daniel Amokachi (MON), Tijjani Babangida (MON) and Garba Lawal (MON).
All four icons have represented Nigeria at the highest levels including the World Cup, the Africa Cup of Nations and the Olympic Games.
Marathon legend, Abbas had represented Nigeria at the 1987 Athletics World Cup in South Korea, Seoul ’88 Olympic Games, the 1987 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, the 1987 All Africa Games in Nairobi, Kenya. For three decades, the national marathon record of 2:16:06 hours set by Abbas at the national marathon championship in Lagos still stands.
A specialist in the long-winded race, Waziri had diligently represented Kaduna state and Nigeria for over a decade, winning the Milo International Marathon for three consecutive years from 1986 to 1988 along with victories at 1988 Half Marathon in Niamey, Niger; Abidjan and Accra Full Marathons in 1990 and 1991 respectively.
Like Abbas, Waziri had also participated in the 1987 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, 1988 Seoul Olympics, the 1987 Athletics World Cup in South Korea and the 1987 All Africa Games in Kenya.
Mercurial midfielder Dahiru Sadi represented Nigeria at the Seoul 88 Olympic Games and the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. He is a recipient of national honour of Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) for his contributions to the progress of football in Nigeria.
The trio of Amokachi, Babangida and Lawal are household names in Nigeria and beyond.
They hold exalted positions in the annal of international football especially after helping the Nigeria’s Under-23 soccer team known as the Dream Team to clinch the gold medal in football event at the Atlanta ’96 Olympic Games. By virtue of their sterling performance, they were individually awarded the national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).
A statement issued by the Special Assistant Media to the Kaduna state Commissioner for Sports Development, Malam Ismaila Lere, stated that letters were delivered to the sports icons appointing them as Goodwill Ambassadors on Monday signed by the Commissioner for Sports Development, Professor Kabir Mato, who is also the deputy Chairman of the Kaduna marathon main organising committee.
The letter noted that it was acknowledgement of their notable achievements and contribution to the development of sports in Nigeria and Kaduna state that they were chosen as ambassadors to promote the essence of the marathon which will put Kaduna on the sporting map of Africa and beyond.
“Your support of Kaduna Marathon activities has been steadfast and reassuring. We urge you as ambassadors to use your high-profile personality to improve the Kaduna Marathon publicity and profile by extending its public outreach and raising global awareness for the epic race,” the Commissioner added.
