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We are going to accommodate more runners for 9th Lagos City Marathon – Yusuf Ali

The General Manager of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, one of the biggest marathon races in Africa, Yusuf Alli, has disclosed that: “the 9th edition of the race, in February 2024, will be hosting more runners in the 42km and 10km races.”

He said at the weekend in Lagos that, the last time the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon hosted a large number of runners was before the outbreak of the Covid 19 virus in 2019.

“For the 9th edition which comes up next year in February, the organisers of the race, Nilayo Sports Management, is determined to host a large number of runners while accommodating those Nigerians and foreign runners who are very eager to participate in both the 42km and the 10km races.

“We are ready for this and we are going to do it in a big way, with all the trappings of the regulations of World Athletics, especially as the Lagos City Marathon is a Gold Label Elite Marathon.

“Don’t forget that the last time we had a very large number of runners was in 2019 when we had the Silver Label Race, but now that we have the Elite Label Race. The stakes are higher and we shall do everything differently. So, we are looking forward to the 9th edition of the race in February 2024.

“And don’t forget, the decision to have more runners, which means a vast increase in the number of participants will be registered in both the 42kg and 10kg races.”

The General Manager noted that the organisers of the biggest marathon races in Africa, Nilayo Sports Management Limited, decided to increase the number of runners because of the huge requests made by local and international runners who believed the COVID-19 statutory restriction policies in line with the World Athletics and International Olympic Committee regulations in 2019, had stopped them from participating in the marathon. But today, the coast is clear and they can participate.

Alli revealed that the World Athletics and Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) are excited that the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon will by next year return to having a larger number of runners for the full race.

Alli added that, with the commitment of the organisers, Nilayo Sports Management Ltd, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon remains the first race to win a World Athletics Bronze Label in Africa after just two editions and the first in the world to win the prestigious Silver Label after four editions.

“Last year, World Athletics gave us the Elite Road Race Label, which today has made us one of the most sought-after Elite Label races in the world. And in terms of prize money, we rank among the top 10 in the world and in the number of participants, we are top five in the world.

A Kenyan, Edwin Kibet Koech, won the eighth edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon 2023 tagged “Push the Limit” at a time of 2 hours 14 minutes 6 seconds. He went home with a cash prize of $50,000. Ethiopia’s Alemenseh Guta won the women’s race for the second time, the first in 2018, at a time 2:40:42.

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Nigeria Premier League

NPFL: Rangers Throws Gates Open For Remo Stars Tie

 

The management of reigning NPFL champions, Rangers International FC, ably led by Amobi Ezeaku Esq., has graciously thrown open the gates of Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, venue of the match day 24, NPFL 2024/2025 fixture against table topping, Remo Stars FC for fans to come in their numbers to witness the top of the table encounter.

The ‘Flying Antelopes’ who are currently on the 5th spot of the twenty team log are fired up to stop the Ikenne side that is currently leading the pack as they aspire to successfully retain the trophy it won last season.

Technical Adviser of the champions who is also one of the assistant coaches to the Super Eagles of Nigeria, coach Fidelis Ilechukwu, in a chat ahead of the encounter said that it is must win for his wards as they aim to successfully defend the trophy they won last season with the Daniel Ogunmodede side coming second.

“We are ready for the game. It is a very important match for us this season. I know Remo Stars very well. They are in top shape going into this weekend’s fixture but we are also on the rise after a not too good start to the second stanza and we are building on the new found form to earn a good result on Sunday. We are positive going into this encounter despite the fact that our opponent are on an 8-Game unbeaten run. We have our work cut out and the players know what is at stake and we are not going to disappoint our teaming fans that we expect to fill the stands to drum their support for us.”

Also speaking ahead of the encounter, defense Trojan, Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, said, “On Sunday, our expectation is to win and grab the three points at state so as to ensure we get ourselves back on the winning ways and stop the high flying Remo Stars just as we did last season after also losing to them in Ikenne. Let our fans come out in their numbers to see good football and a very good win over the Ikenne side that is currently topping the league table. Our ‘Never Say Die’ spirit is still alive.”

On his part, former league top scorer, and last season’ club highest goal scorer, Godwin Obaje, said, “We are expecting a tough encounter from the Remo Stars team but we have our target for the match which is to get all three points at stake and we are motivated to get the result to put us back in the running for a successful title defense. I call on our fans to keep believing in the team as we have all it takes to get a good result on Sunday against Remo Stars.”

Going down memory lane, both sides have clashed nine times in the top flight with each side picking up three wins apiece while three encounters have ended in a draw with the 5-2 whitewash of the Ikenne side on March 24, 2019 still the game with highest number of goals.

 

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Nigeria Premier League

Kano Pillars Chairman praises players despite loss to Remo Stars

Kano Pillars

Kano Pillars chairman Alhaji Ali Muhammad Umar has commended his team despite their 2-1 defeat to Remo Stars in Ikenne on Sunday.

Speaking to the club’s media, Umar expressed pride in the players’ performance and praised their dominance throughout the match.

“I must commend the players and the technical crew for the way they approached the game. From the first whistle to the end of regulation time, they played with passion and dominated the match,” Umar stated.

He acknowledged the unpredictable nature of football, attributing the loss to bad luck.

“Sometimes, football can be cruel, and we were just unlucky not to secure all three points. We must build on this performance. The season is still ongoing, and I believe with more effort, we will achieve our objectives,” he added.

Kano Pillars are set to face rivals Katsina United in a rescheduled matchday 20 encounter at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Wednesday.

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Nigeria Premier League

Brown Ideye Set to Return for Enyimba After Injury Layoff

Brown Ideye

Former Super Eagles forward, Brown Ideye, is set to make his return for Enyimba in their upcoming league game following a brief injury layoff.

The 36-year-old striker has missed Enyimba’s last two league matches due to a minor injury. Enyimba’s media officer, David Orji, confirmed that Ideye has resumed personal training in preparation for his return to action.

“Ideye is back in training after sustaining a minor injury and should be fully fit soon,” Orji stated.

Ideye has made four league appearances for Enyimba, scoring once. Enyimba will host league leaders Remo Stars in a week 24 fixture in Aba on Sunday, as they aim to improve their standing from the eighth position in the league table, where they currently have 31 points.

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