Athletes intending to participate in the 3rd edition of the annual Anti-Corruption Marathon race will smile home with princely sum for their efforts.
The National Coordinator of the race, Jakob Onu informed journalists that the winner of this year race will go home with N1m in male and female categories
And due to the Covid-19, that has forced cancellation and postponement of several sporting events, the Marathon race will now hold on Saturday 19th December.
Onu disclosed that while the first and second runners up would go home with N750,000 each and N500,000 each respectively.
He said arrangements had been made to use the platform, which is expected to attract about 3,000 athletes, to create awareness on government’s anti-corruption fight. “It is aimed at eulogising the anti-corruption crusade of the Federal Government through the relevant anti-corruption agencies to mark the UN Anti-corruption Day which holds on Dec. 9 every year. “The overall intention of the marathon is to create awareness on the danger of corruption to our existence as a people and society at large.
“The registration is free and open to all citizens of Nigeria.
To this effect, we are working hard to not only build on the success of the 1st and 2nd Edition, but to also improve on it. So far, more athletes have registered to participate and registration is still ongoing. Athletes can also visit our offices at Suites 32.2 at MKO National Stadium, Abuja to register or visit www.nationalanticorruptionmarathon.org.ng.
According to him, the ministry is working in collaboration with the anti-corruption agencies like EFCC, ICPC, Code of Conduct Bureau and Kano State Anti-Corruption Commission. Other partners are the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), National Orientation Agency (NOA) and Bureau of Public Service Reform and others agencies.
“We are organizing a Youth and Students Summit on Anti-Corruption and Drug Abuse. The Summit will hold on the 9th of December by 12noon at the Auditorium of the prestigious Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja, where some prominent citizens and great minds of our Nation shall deliver papers”
The total distance of the race is 21.03km (approximately half a marathon), covering a total area of 23.04km2. the flag off/ start point is the Eagle Square.
Athlete will run through the marathon route and finish at the Eagle Square.
This makes the start and finish point the same.
The fight against corruption is not a one off battle, rather a continuous one that requires perseverance and endurance. This is the reason behind this initiative. The marathon race is symbolic in that without perseverance and endurance one can’t start and finish a marathon race.
This initiative happens to be the first globally. It is our desire that it is sustained over time and improved on in subsequent Editions. It is also expected to be a platform to encourage and empower participating athletes.
Emmanuel Gyang and Deborah Pam Gyang were last year winners in male and female categories
