Agunbiade Boosts Oba Shotobi Marathon Race With More Cash & Gifts

*AS THE 4TH EDITION HOLDS NEXT MONDAY

The Opomulero of Ikorodu is at it again. This time, the annual Oba Kabir Shotobi Mini Marathon, sponsored by Hon. SOB Agunbiade, the Opomulero of Ikorodu Kingdom and Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly is set to hold on the 1st of October, 2018, to celebrate the National Independence Day in Ikorodu Division.

The event which was debuted in 2015 has been a yearly competition, with this year’s edition covering a distance of 7.3km. The competition is said to aim at creating a healthy rivalry between private and public secondary schools in Ikorodu division of Lagos State; contributing to the development of sports in Lagos State and Nigeria; To discover and develop future champions that will represent Lagos State and Nigeria in national and international long distance race competition and to domesticate the celebration of the National day in Ikorodu division.

In a press conference to herald the Marathon race, Bello O. Akeem, the Chairman of the Committee noted that the fourth edition of Oba Shotobi Independence day Mini Marathon will hold October 1st 2018. He said the logo for this year’s competition has been unveiled on Tuesday, September 18, 2018, by His Royal Majesty, Oba Engr. Kabir Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu Kingdom.

“Our great Nation Nigeria will be 58 years old on 1st of October 2018. For four years running, the Independence Day celebration is marked in Ikorodu with Oba Shotobi Independence day Mini Marathon to domicile the Independence Day celebration.

“Seventy (70) athletes took part in the race in 2015, but for this year competition, Four Hundred and Twenty registered and were creened medically by medical personnel from Lagos State Sports Commission for the Mini marathon but Two Hundred and seventy athletes were declared fit to take part in the competition.

“This is an indication that the competition is growing, I am happy to inform you that past Winners like Olayinka Boluwatife, won Bronze in Ibile games, three of the winners of 2017 won medals in last year Access Lagos Marathon in 10KM category,” Bello explained.

The Organising committee also added that the officials drawn from Body of games masters of primary and secondary schools in the Division and the State Sports commission will be briefed on Friday, September 28, 2018, on route alongside with the athletes on the rules of the competition.

“On the 30th of September, 2018, touch of this year’s competition will be ignited by 4pm, by His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Sotobi and handed over to the past winners of the past competition who in turn will take the touch round the route to the finish point at Igbogbo road police ground.

The organizing committee through its chairman hailed the sponsor of the event, SOB Agunbiade and others who have been supporting the event. Bello particularly commended Olusanya Ebenizer, Tutor General, Education District ll, Director General Lagos State Sports commission, for their understanding.

The tourney is expected to be flagged off off by Oba shotobi and it will be commenced at the palace of the paramount ruler of Ikorodu, Ayangburen palace Living stone college – Etunrenren street – Late Ayangburen Residence – Water Works Station – Lagos Road – Round About – Sabo Market – Kokoro Abu Street – Ikorodu Grammar School along Awolowo Road – Ota On a – Oriwu Road -Ita Elewa – Ireshe Road – Sheriff Junction – Finish point at Police Barracks Ikorodu.

“The race will be flagged off by 7:00am by the Ayangburen of Ikorodu and other eminent personalities at the palace, On the 1st of October, 2018.

“The Winners of this year’s competition will go home with lots of prizes. The first and the second runners up will win trophies and medals for their respective schools and fifty thousand naira in the male and female categories. Thirty thousand naira and twenty thousand naira in addition for both male and female first and second runner up in both categories.

“The 7th to 20th position in the male and female categories will go home with consolation prizes,” he added.

Hon SOB Agunbiade, Hon. Azeez Olosugbo, the Coordinator of Onward Movement and Otunba Dare Odufowokan, Director of Team SOB Media and a host of other stakeholders were also added glamour to the media parley

Story By Wale Abideen