About ₦330,000,000 have been mapped out as prizes for the 2023 Onitsha City Marathon race holding from September 30, 2023 at Onitsha, the commercial nerve of Anambra State.
The Project Manager, Onitsha City Marathon, Dr Osondu Umeobi, disclosed this on Wednesday May 17, 2023 during a press conference held at Onistha Business School, the promoter of the race, in Onitsha, Onitsha North Local Government Area.
Umeobi, who explained that over 1000 international top athletes were expected in the race, noted that in the international male category, 200,000 United States dollar prizes would be won, while another 200,000 dollars prizes were meant for the female category.
According to him, ₦10,000,000 comprising ₦5m for males and ₦5m for females category were mapped out for Nigeria session, while top 10 participants of Anambra state origin would equally be compensated at the event.
He added that the 21km road race which begun in 2019, would in 2023 edition feature 42 kilometers race as the highest, among other ultra events.
Also speaking, Professor Segun Sogbason, who is also the founder Onitsha Business School, explained that many innovations had been added into the second edition, including introduction of 50 viewing centres scattered across Anambra and Delta States for more viewership of the programme.
Sogbason further maintained that “Onitsha City Marathon is an Initiative of the Onitsha Business School (OBS). It is a product of Doctoral and Masters Degree students simulation class aimed at providing a solution to an observed environmental challenge in an otherwise energetic community of vibrant youth populace idling away.
“OBS, the promoters of this project intent to create three world class sporting facilities cut across Onitsha City to help promote, propagate and harness the idle sports talents in the city of Onitsha and beyond. Our mission is to be a platform for discovering, developing the avalanche sporting energies within the host environment and Africa at large, adopting effective coordinating methodology and contemporary technology.”
He recalled that the first edition held in 2019 was participated by athletes from United Kingdom, Ethiopia, Kenya, Togo, China, Cameroon, to name a few, and implored for sponsorship from individuals and private institutions so as to make it a memorable event.
On his part, the Chairman, Anambra State Sports Commission, Mr Patrick-Estate Onyedum, represented by Ms Faith Okwonna, stressed the government support to the programme, as it would not only benefit the masses health wise but also boost the State economy, businesses and the environment at large.
Earlier, the Traditional Ruler of Onitsha, Obi Alfred Achebe, thanked OBS for the initiative, assuring that he would participate in the race as well as ensured that the event record success as planned.
