The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has hailed the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon as a model for a flourishing sports economy, emphasizing its role in boosting commerce, tourism, and job creation.
The marathon, which marked its 10th edition last Saturday, was organized by Nilayo Sports Management Company Limited and attracted over 25,000 runners, including 400 international athletes and 100 elite competitors.
The event, which has grown into a world-class sports carnival, continues to make a significant impact on Nigeria’s economy.
Hon. Olopade, a two-time Commissioner for Sports in Ogun State, noted that the marathon has evolved beyond a race to become an ecosystem that provides a livelihood for thousands across multiple sectors.
“This is exactly what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, envisioned when he re-established the National Sports Commission and appointed myself and Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko to create an environment where sports is not just entertainment but a business,” he stated.
The marathon has generated wealth and employment opportunities over the past decade, drawing participants from across the globe and boosting Lagos’ tourism and hospitality sectors.
Olopade also lauded the organizers for positioning Nigeria on the global sporting map and expressed optimism that the event would soon attain platinum status, upgrading from its current Gold Label classification.
“Our country has the potential to host more international sporting events like this. At the Sports Commission, we are committed to driving infrastructural development through the Renewed Hope Initiatives for Nigeria Sports Economy (RHINSE) campaign,” he added.
In the elite race, Kenya’s Edwin Kibet emerged victorious in the men’s category, completing the 42km course in 2:14:19, while Ethiopia’s Guta Meseret won the women’s race in 2:37:04.
Among Nigerian participants, Nyango Boyi finished as the first Nigerian man, while Blessing Shambor Solomon claimed victory as the first Nigerian woman to cross the finish line.
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