Sports
International Marathon: Kits Distribution Starts, Wednesday
Running kits and number bibs distribution for the 2023 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon will begin on Wednesday, at the Food Court behind Eagles Square, Federal Secretariat, Abuja.
The distribution will run until Friday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 pm each day.
Registered and intending participants are encouraged to come to Eagles Square to collect their running kits, number bibs, and goodie bags.
Those who have not yet registered can do so on-site and receive their kits immediately.
Gabriel Okon, the Race Director, reminds runners who have registered online or filled out forms to come and collect their kits even if they even if they didn’t receive a notification.
The marathon will begin at 7:00 AM on Saturday, December 16th.
The half marathon will start in front of the ECOWAS Secretariat, while the 5km fun race will start at Bannex Plaza.
Roads on the marathon route will be closed from 6 am on race day.
Okon appeals to Abuja residents to cooperate with officials from the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Part of the route, passing through Asokoro and other parts of Abuja, including Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway up to Bannex Plaza and Eagles Square, will be closed to vehicle movement during the race.
He said: “While most roads will be completely closed, Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway will have limited traffic flow”
Okon urges residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to cooperate with security operatives.
He also reminds runners to arrive at the starting point of their race before 6:00 AM on December 16th, as security personnel will begin complete road closures in the area from that time.
As announced by the organisers, the winner of the half marathon will go home with $10,000; the second-placed runner will go home with $5,000 and the third-place runner $4,000.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.