The Enugu State government under Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has handed the two biggest sports fiesta in the state in the next two years to the management of the Nigeria’s foremost sports management company, Nilayo Sports Management Limited.

Peter Mbah, a few days ago, handed over the Consultancy of the two events, the 2025 Enugu City International Marathon and 2026 National Sports Festival Hosting Bid to Nilayo Sports Limited.

In his remarks, Enugu State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Ikechukwu Ekweremadu, expressed his confidence in Nilayo Sports to ensure Enugu City International Marathon becomes a World Athletics accredited marathon.

While receiving the authorising letter, the Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Limited, Chief Bukola Olopade, expressed optimism that his company would deliver a World Class Enugu City International Marathon in May 2025.

The Enugu State Governor in his response, noted that, the state government will be most delighted if Nilayo Sports can ensure a World Athletics standard marathon in Enugu, with all the trapplings of the Boston Marathon which is one of the best in the world in terms of spectatorship and presence of world clsss international runners competing on the streets of Enugu.

The Enugu State Governor through the State’s Commissioner of Youth and Sports also presented a second letter authorising Nilayo Sports as Consultant to the Enugu State government on the 23rd National Sports Festival hosting bid.

Nilayo Sports Management Limited, organisers of Lotus Bank Abeokuta 10KM Race has announced Febbs Premium Drinking Water as the hydration partner of the race.

Mr. Ebidowei Oweifie, the Chief Operating Officer of Nilayo Sports Management Limited said: “We are delighted to announce Febbs Premium Drinking Water as the hydration partner of the fourth edition of Lotus Bank Abeokuta 10km Race. Febbs is a brand that adheres to stringent quality standards to ensure purity and safety of their water for end users.

Quality is a key attribute for us across all our marathons and road races. It is a valuable characteristic that makes this partnership a perfect symbiosis.”

He added that Lotus Bank Abeokuta 10km Race promises to be bigger than the previous edition, “this edition is also intended to celebrate the birthday of His Royal Majesty, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbedebo, Okukenu IV, the Alake of Egbaland, Alake has been a source of inspiration for Egba home and abroad, we feel it is apt to use this race to commemorate his birthday, he is a unique symbol of unity.

Mr Olasegun Dada, the CEO, Febbs Global Limited, in his remarks said, “in the pursuit of greatness, hydration is not just a necessity; it’s a vital companion on the road to success. Febbs Global proudly joins forces with the Lotus Bank Abeokuta 10km Race as the hydration partner, empowering athletes to push their limits, defy expectations, and embrace every challenge with renewed energy and vigour.

Together, let’s raise our bottles to celebrate the resilience and commitment that define the essence of this exhilarating event.”

Lotus Bank Abeokuta 10KM Race is scheduled for 7th of September, 2024. The race starts at Iyana Oloke and will finish at Ake Palace.

Coach Manu Garba has reiterated that Nigeria’s U17 boys will go for a win in Wednesday’s group B final encounter in Accra even though a draw will be good enough to see the five-world champions through to the semi finals.

“We are not here to be drawing matches. I am not happy that we drew our first match against Burkina Faso. We should have scored a number of goals especially towards the end but we cannot be crying over spilt milk.

“We got the three points against Niger Republic, and we have to keep at the winning mentality. We cannot afford to gamble; a win is what we are going for. Even though they lost their first two matches, we cannot afford to under-rate the Togolese. They got two goals against Niger Republic, even though they eventually lost, so they are not a team to be taken for granted.”

Cup holders Golden Eaglets will finish top of the pile if they win against the Togolese at the Accra Sports Stadium and fellow group leaders Burkina Faso fail to get the better of Niger Republic at the University of Accra Stadium in games that will be played simultaneously.

Victory for Nigeria, and draw or defeat for the Burkinabes, will mean the Eaglets avoid in-form Black Starlets of Ghana, who are expected to top group A, in the last-four confrontations.