Kunle Adelabu
All is set for this year’s annual Oba Shotobi Independence Day Mini in Ikorodu as winners in both female and male categories in the last edition are set to defend their titles.
The duo of Ifeanyi Alloy John, a student of Imota Senior Grammar School, and Akanbi Muslimat, 16 year senior secondary school student of Luwasa High School, Ijede, who are the champions of the male and female categories of the race in 2019 respectively, attended the unveiling of the 2021 logo and trophies for the race, to signal their readiness to compete at this year’s edition.
The annual sporting event was unable to hold in 2020 due to the outbreak of the COVID 19 pandemic.
The two champions spoke with THE IMPACT on their readiness to partake in this year’s race and win again.
Alloy John confidently told our reporter that he is battle ready to compete at this year’s edition of the race.
“I have made up my mind to participate in the race this year because marathon is all that I want to do and that’s why I am here today”, he said.
Though, he was not sure if he would be repeating same feat this year, but he promised great outing”, he said.
“People should be expecting me to finish the race between first to third position”, Alloy said confidently.
Unlike his male counterpart, Akanbi Muslimat expressed her readiness to repeat same feat this year.
“Our people should be expecting great performance from me. I will be running for the first position and nothing else”, she assured.
“I am running for the first position”, Muslimat declared.
The biggest star produced by the race over the years and who is today a professional marathoner, Esther Affiong, commended the organisers of the race for providing the platform for the sporting development of the youths.
Participation forms for this year’s race are available at the Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, Constituency Office, Ikorodu Grammar, School, Ikorodu, and closes on September 20.
