Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, has submitted his registration form for the 4th IAAF bronze label 10km International Road Race in Okpekpe, Edo State.
Dalung will join Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, and others for the race, which is slated for Saturday.
One of the organisers of the race, Dare Esan, announced the latest development.
“We are delighted to have the number one sports man in Nigeria register for the race. This shows recognition by government of the image laundering power of sports and that the Okpekpe race, being the only IAAF bronze label race in Africa in 2016 and one of only two IAAF label races in Africa this year, has proved that Nigerians are capable of organising world class events,” said Esan.
The 4th Okpekpe race will feature 20 international elite athletes across six African countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Morocco, Uganda, Tanzania and South Africa.
Esan further revealed that 11gold level elite runners are among the 20 international elite athletes.
“Our international elite athletes manager has confirmed 20 world class runners made up of nine women and 11 men for Saturday’s race. Out of the 20, 11 are gold level elite runners, eight are silver while only one bronze level elite runner has been confirmed for the race thereby raising the standard of the race from a bronze label one to gold in terms of the quality of the international elite field,” said Esan.
A total cash prize of $92,000 will be paid to the top eight finishers in the men and women’s race.
The winner in each gender category will walk home with $15,000, second placed gets $10,000 and $7,000 will go to the third placed athlete.
