The 2024 Lotus Bank Abeokuta 10km Race, which holds in September, promises to be a world-class long distance race and memorable event in the ancient city of Abeokuta in Ogun State, southwest Nigeria.

This is because the organiser, Nilayo Sports Management Company, and its partners are leaving nothing to chance to ensure that the one-day event lives up to expectations.

On Monday 3 June 2024, Nilayo Sports penned a partnership deal with Febbs Premium Drinking Water with a view to have a veritable platform to give runners and spectators a good dehydrating system ever seeing in any marathon race in the country.

While making a presentation at a brief ceremony held at the corporate office of Nilayo Sports at Magodo, Estate in Lagos, the Brand Strategic Manager of Febbs Water, Oluwatoyin Kayode, explained that the company is ready to “make this race the best one yet”.

Kayode outlined the workable plans the water company has in stock.

One of the plans is to put in place some enhanced hydration stations along the route for runners, adding that “more hydration points will be strategically placed to ensure no runner is more than 2km away from water. These stations will be efficient and well-staffed stations to reduce wait times.”

According to Kayode, “Each hydration station will have enthusiastic volunteer cheering on runners, creating a positive and motivating environment, even as Febbs will provide live DJs booths at key hydration points to keep the energy high.”

She said Febbs is planning interactive games or challenges for participants.

“For example, we could have a water -balancing challenge where participants must carry a bottle of water on a tray while navigating an obstacle course. Those who could complete the challenge could win prizes such as branded water bottles and hydration packs.

“Febbs Water could collaborate with local artists to create local themed murals or installations along the race route, offering visual entertainment and photo opportunities for participants and spectators.

“Leveraging our conglomerate’s art and blockchain technology venture, we have direct access to skilled artists capable of bringing this concept to life,” she said.

Kayode further disclosed that Febbs Water will provide custom branding opportunities with personalised water bottles featuring logo of the event and motivational messages.

What are the qualities Febbs Premium Drinking Water is known for? The Brand Strategic Manager says “Our water undergoes vigorous purification process ensuring top-notch quality and taste, which is essential for athletes

“We offer both regular and electrolyte enhanced water options to different hydration needs.”

She said “Febbs water is committeed to enhancing water hydration experience at the Lotus Bank Abeokuta 10km Race.

“We look forward to the opportunity of refreshing the runners contributing to a successful and memorable event.”

To bolster sports management capabilities across Nigeria, the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), in partnership with the National Association of Physical and Health Education, Recreation Sport and Dance (NAPHAED) is organising a 3-day seminar for its members.

A statement by Tony Nezianya, the Public Relations Officer of NOC, notes that this marks the 5th collaborative effort between the two bodies to provide crucial training for sports administrators.

The course which commenced on June 5 would end on June 7, 2024. The president of NOC, Engr Habu Gumel, con., will be in Lagos today the officially close the event.

The initiative is supported by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) through its Olympic Solidarity program, which has designed Sports Administration and Advanced Sports Management Courses to assist National Olympic Committees in enhancing the skills of sports administrators worldwide.

The goal is to promote harmony in sports management globally, requiring active collaboration to ensure its success in various states and organisations, including Nigeria.

The IOC has entrusted the NOC with offering these courses to train grassroots, regional, and national sports administrators.

This initiative involves NOCs, national federations, sports clubs, educational institutions, and other sports organisations, providing a comprehensive approach to sports development.

The Educational Programme for Sports Administrators is crucial for the growth of sports in Nigeria, as it empowers local communities to discuss good governance, ethical sports values, the achievements of the Olympic Movement, and practical sports administration principles.

Participants in these courses play a vital role in ensuring that sports are managed effectively and ethically in their communities, contributing to the overall strengthening of the country’s sports ecosystem.

This collaborative effort between the NOC and the National Association of Physical and Health Education, Recreation Sport and Dance underscores the commitment of these organisations to elevate sports management practices and empower sports administrators across Nigeria.

The upcoming 3-day seminar promises to equip attendees with the necessary skills and knowledge to drive positive change in the sports industry, benefiting athletes, coaches, and enthusiasts nationwide.

In line with the provision of relevant statutes of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), the executive of the Lagos chapter has inducted some new members into the fold of the association.

The induction ceremony, which held during the recently organised national symposium organized by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Lagos chapter in collaboration with the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Defence Headquarters, Nigeria Police, Lagos State Sports Commission and other relevant agencies in the country on the danger of using illicit and enhance drugs in sports.

The symposium was held at the Golfview Hotel & Conference Centre at GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.

The newly inducted members comprise veterans in Nigerian journalism who are senior members and former executives of the Nigerian Union Journalists (NUJ) Lagos chapter, publishers, members of Fourth Estate Professionals (FFPS) who have carved their niche in different areas of news writing, most importantly sports and others.

Among the newly inducted members are Gbenga Fatile, chairman of the Fourth Estate Professionals, Wale Ogunniran, secretary of FFPS and publisher of Integrity Newspaper, Abiola Ismail, Ex-officio, FFPS, Otunba Wale Shobande, FFPS, Morounfolu Gbolahan, a former Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), who is also a member of FFPS and a sports enthusiast, Abiola Peters, Director of News Bond FM, Ayodeji Akomolede, Joshua Uloko, publisher, the Pride newspaper and City Pride newspaper, Samson Oki, President of NAOSP, Jerry Apeleokhai, Afolabi Saheed Olawale of P.M. EXPRESS, Alabi Agboola (P.M. EXPRESS), Kehinde Towobola (Pathways TV), Tope Ogunduyile (Dux FM), Adeola Shobakin, Taiwo Popoola (Dux FM, Tari Aiyensihan, Musbaudeen Olatunde Olanrewaju, Adewunmi Adedeji, Oluwafemi Fabunmi, Bayo Olaku, Kemi Ojediran, Owolabi Abiola, Taiwo Oyekanmi and James Adoyi.

While inducting the new members, the Chairman of Lagos SWAN, Olatutu Oladunni enjoined them to always promote the integrity and professionalism that Lagos SWAN is known for in the family of sportswriters in Nigeria, adding that their induction was not a right but a privilege to serve humanity.

She said her administration since inception has been introducing new and enduring policies that will change the face and fortune of the association in the Centre of Excellence.

According to Oladunni, the first-ever female chairman in the history of SWAN in the southwest region of Nigeria, her vision is to see SWAN being held in high esteem like professional associations such as the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) and others.

“That is the reason we put in place this induction ceremony, the first of its kind in the history of SWAN to send a message of a new dawn in Lagos SWAN. Our door is opened to journalists of like minds who believe in what we are doing, ready to respect the constituted authority and to put in their professional best to uplift the association to the next level.

“Every member who is inducted today passed through painstaking and rigorous screening before we give a nod to their membership and this is a tradition that we vow to sustain to sanitise the system,” Oladunni said.

All the newly inducted members were warmly welcome into Lagos SWAN by the important dignitaries who grace the symposium include the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Mr Adegoke Fayoade, Dr. (Mrs) Yemisi Folasire, Head of Human Nutrition and Diabetic Public Health College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, senior officials of Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Alhaji Olanrewaju Adesokan of Surrycom Great Nigeria Limited, Sanni Oladunni, CEO of Mol Integrated Services Limited, Austine Oshioke, CEO, Desaju Homes and Security Limited.