Organisers of the ninth Okpekpe International 10km Road Race, say they are “condemned to organising a bigger and better event” with just nine days left for the race to hold in Okpekpe, Etsako East Local Governemnt Area of Edo State.
Race Director, Zakari Amodu, said the first ever World Athletics Gold Label 10km race in Nigeria will for the ninth time live up to its billing as one of the prestigious road races in the world.
“We have covered all grounds necessary for a good race. We have gold level running athletes already confirmed for the historic race .We have all the materials we wanted for effective doping control, including a doping station at the finish area in Okpekpe.
“We have met all the necessary requirements to organise a gold label road race and have even moved several steps higher. What we are waiting for is just for the race day to be here so that we can put into practice all we have been doing in terms of keeping to the World Athletics competition rules and requirements,” Amodu said.
On the security of athletes, officials and spectators in and around Okpekpe, Amodu added, “The Edo State Government is on top of this, as explained by the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, two weeks ago at a pre-race press conference in Benin. We are also in discussion with the DSS, the Nigeria Police and the FRSC.
“We paid a courtesy call on the Edo State Commissioner of Police, and like they and other security agencies have done in the last eight editions of the race, we have been assured of another hitch-free event come May 27.”
Amodu stated that about 200 volunteers will be on duty before, during and after the race not just to help with its organisation, but also get practical experience of events management in their related fields.