Kunle ADELABU
-Oba Shotobi calls for sustenance of race
Organizers of the annual Oba Shotobi Independence Day Mini-Marathon in Ikorodu has revealed that the division has started benefiting from the results of the race designed to encourage sportsmanship among students in Ikorodu division and bring back the lost glory of the division in sporting sector.
Mr Akeem Bello, the Chairman of the 4th Oba Shotobi Independence Day Marathon, revealed this during the unveiling of the 2018 mascot for this year’s edition of the race.
His royal Majesty, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, had unveiled the official mascot of the race at the event that took place at the pavilion inside the Ayangbure Palace on Tuesday, September 18,2018..
The unveiling event also had the presence of notable traditional chiefs and other dignitaries in Ikorodu.
According to Mr Bello, the 7.3km race has encouraged some of the participants to compete at the state and national competitions with international recognition.
“As usual, we are back here for the blessings of Kabiyesi and the unveiling of the mascot. It is only after the official unveiling that we can start using the logo. We also want to thank Kabiyesi, entire chiefs and people of Ikorodu for their supports since the marathon race debuted.
“Due to your supports, we have started realizing the aims of the race as some of our students that did well in previous editions were encouraged to take part in national and state competitions.
“Azeez Fatai, a student of Doba College, Maya in Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area (LCDA) and the winner of the 2017 Oba Shotobi Independence day Mini-Marathon (Male category), won the silver medal in the 10km race of the Lagos City Marathon which is an international race.
“There is also Boluwatife Olayinka, the 2015 winner (female category) of the race,who also participated at the IBILE Games and emerged 3rd.
“These are some that easily come to mind and we are thankful of your supports for the success of the race. We have no regret in naming the race after our highly revered Kabiyesi.
“Aside our plan to catch the young athletes in their tender age as well as encourage and guide them into the limelight, it is also our aim to give Ikorodu residents reason to stay within the town on the Independence day instead of going to other parts of the state.
While stating that the activities lined-up for this year’s marathon would not be different from previous editions, Mr Bello added that there would be an additional event in this year’s edition.
“We are adding the lightening of Olympic light to this year’s event. We shall be back at the palace on the eve of the marathon for Kabiyesi to light the torch and present it to the winner of last year’s edition who would race with the torch with other officials along the routes designated for the race and terminated at the Police Barracks Playing Ground, where he will hand it over to the sponsor and initiator of the marathon, Hon. Agunbiade, who will take it to appropriate quarters at the state level”.
Responding to the Kabiyesi’s concern over the sustainability of the race, the chairman assured that Hon. Agunbiade is working with the committee to get sponsors and find means of sustaining the race.
He added that Hon. Agunbiade has not just started contributing to the development of Ikorodu and sports.
“The mini-marathon, which started about four years ago, was not Hon. Agunbiade’s first intervention in salvaging sports in Ikorodu. He spearheaded the organization of first-ever marathon race in Ikorodu in 1989 when he was the President of Gripps Club of Nigeria.
His Royal Majesty Oba Kabiru Shotobi, while speaking during the unveiling event, had asked the organizers to assure him of the sustenance of the annual marathon.
“I want the committee to look inwardly concerning the sustenance of this race. It is a laudable initiative which must not be allowed to die and I think that Hon. Agunbiade, as an individual, should not be the only sponsoring it year-in-year-out. Let me know when you need my intervention in this regard and I would be willing to help in talking to sponsors”, he stated while challenging the organizers over the sustenance of the annual Independence Day race.
The traditional ruler also called on private and privileged individuals to support the initiative which,according to him, was designed to bring back Ikorodu lost glory in sports and human development.
While commending the initiator and the planning committee for the successes of the race and their spirits of continuity, Oba Shotobi reiterated his resolve to continue to support Hon. Agunbiade and any other Ikorodu son and daughter that are creative and bringing development to the town.
“I don’t have any preferred individual among sons and daughters of Ikorodu. I am a father to all and shall continue to embrace everyone but I will have no choice than to continually like and support anyone like SOB (Hon Agunbiade) who is doing good things and also championing the development of Ikorodu”.
“I will be glad to embrace and support them too if they also bring good things that would further the development of Ikorodu” , Kabiesi stated.
Meanwhile, the medical screening for the athletes who have returned their forms has commenced at the Hon. Sanai Agunbiade’s Constituency office at Grammar School in Ikorodu.
The screening, which is being used to check the blood and sugar levels of each of the athletes, started yesterday (Wednesday, September 19) and would end tomorrow, Friday, September 2, 2018.
