Kunle Adelabu, Mariam Okiye (Trainee) & Gabriel Eweje (Photographer)
-Royal fathers, guests, athletes commend organizers for creating platform to develop talents
Winners in both male and female categories of the 2021 Oba Kabir Shotobi Independence Day Mini – Marathon have revealed how they emerged victorious in the 10kilometre race held in Ikorodu on last Friday.
Master Ayinde Luqman (706), a 15 – year-old SSS 2 student of Ikorodu Grammar Senior School, Ikorodu, emerged winner of the male category with 44 minutes and 43 seconds, while Miss Odufolakun Rebecca (392), also a 15 year-old SSS 2 student of Luwasa Senior High School, Ijede, who won the female category with 49minutes and 34 seconds, shared their experiences with THE IMPACT after the race.
Also, the first and second runners – up in both categories, while also relieving their experiences, commended the sponsor and organizers of the annual race for providing the platform to enable them express themselves and also discover talents.
A total number of 438 young distance race athletes from 35 schools across the six Local Government and Local Council Development Areas in Ikorodu Division, Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, participated in this year’s edition of the annual race.
A total of 520 entries were received out of which 173 female and 263 male participants were certified fit after the medical screening by the officials of the Lagos State Sports Commission.
Winners in both male and female categories received N50,000 (fifty thousand naira) cheque each as star prizes while the first runners – up in both categories got N30,000 (thirty thousands naira) cheque each and the second runners – up received N20,000 (twenty thousand naira) cheque each.
Also, participants from the fourth to tenth positions collected a cheque of N10,000 (ten thousand naira) each, while others were given gift items.
Like the previous edition, the race, which was initiated and sponsored by the Majority Leader of the Lagos House of Assembly and representative of Ikorodu Constituency I, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, took off at the Ayangbure palace in Ikorodu , after Oba Shotobi declared the race opened.
The young marathoners raced through the Ayangbure road, Oriwu road, Ita – Elewa, Owoowo Street, Garage, Lagos road, Ragolis road, Sabo road to link Kokoro – Abu road, Grammar School and Awolowo Way.
From Awolowo Way, they linked Ota Ona, reconnected Oriwu road to link Obun – Oke, Odugate Street from where they also linked lreshe road, Sheriff and finally raced through Ikorodu/Igbogbo road and berthed at the Police Barracks Playing Ground, the finishing point where the presentation ceremony was held.
The male category winner, Ayinde Luqman revealed to our reporter that he did not really train for races by running on the streets, but that he gets his fitness and strength from constant football engagements.
He said that his emergence as 2021 champion of this year’s race has made him developed interest in further participation in marathon races.
“This is my first time of participating in the annual Independence Day mini – marathon and I feel very great winning, though it was tough.
“I was not actually involved in long distance running, but my stamina, energy and strength are obtained from my active football engagements. I have never been a runner, but with my experience now, I think that I am going to take to the long distance running. It seems that I have what it takes to do it”.
He thanked the sponsor and organizers of the tournament for the opportunity given to him and other youths to discover their talents.
“I give kudos to the organizers of this race. It has really helped me in discovering that I can also do this. I hope that they will continue to organize the race”, he said.
Miss Odufolakun Rebecca, who emerged first in the female category, said that it took her three years to prepare for the race.
The young champion, who participated for the second time after ccoming 4th in her first appearance in 2019, also said that she wanted to quit when felt tired but the crowd along the routes kept cheering her on.
“It took me three good years to prepare myself for this marathon and I feel very great winning it on my second attempt”, she said
“I actually felt tired along the way and wanted to stop but the crowd kept urging me on. They were encouraging me at every point that I was the first female and that there was no other behind me, that gave me the strength to continue the race and eventually won it”, she revealed.
She said that her next plan is to participate in the next Lagos marathon.
“My next plan is to participate in the next Access Bank marathon and do well. So also in other marathon events because I am now encouraged”, she said.
Miss Basiru Awawu Adeola (644), a 15 – year old SSS 2 student of United Senior High School, Ikorodu, who emerged second in the female category, the same position that she took in the last race in 2019, said that she would still participate in the next year’s edition.
She covered the race in 51minutes and 34 seconds.
“This is my second time of participating in the Oba Shotobi mini – marathon. I first participated in 2019 when I emerged second and this year again, I also emerged second.
“I feel great retaining the same position. It shows that I am consistent and can still do better in the subsequent editions because I still intend to participate in the next year’s race since I still have age on my side”, she said.
13 – year old Sarumi Rasaq(347), who is a JSS 3 student of Luwasa High School, Ijede, emerged second in the male category, returning the time of 44minutes and 54 seconds.
The young marathoner, who came 14th in the 2019 edition of the race, said that he has been preparing since then to improve on his position.
“I feel very great to have emerged second this year, because I was 14th in the 2019 edition of the race. I have been preparing for this race since 2019 and it paid off because I am in second position which is a great improvement for me.
“I thank Hon. S.O.B Agunbiade and Ayangbure of Ikorodu for this race. They have really done well with it because through it, Ikorodu has discovered many talents”.
Like others, he said that his plan is to still participate in the 2022 edition of the Oba Shotobi Independence Day Mini – Marathon.
Akanbi Muslimat (488), a 16 – year old SSS 3 student of Luwasa High School, Ijede, who was the 2019 winner in the female category was beaten to the third position this year.
Speaking with THE IMPACT, Muslimat said that she was disappointed but felt happy that one of her made from Luwasa High School dethroned her.
She ran the time of 53minutes 59seconds to complete the 10 kilometres race.
“I am somehow disappointed but also happy that someone from my school won the race” she said.
She was full of praise for the organizers and her coach.
“I thank God for giving us the strength to participate in the race and I want to thank Hon. S.O.B Agunbiade for providing us with the opportunity to express ourselves since the beginning of the annual race. I also want to thank Oba of Ikorodu for his support.
“I also want to thank my coach for giving us good training. He actually engaged us for about seven months to keep us in shape”, she said.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the annual Oba Shotobi Independence Day Mini – Marathon, Pastor Akeem Bello has stated that the number of participants for the 2021 event reduced because SSS 3 students are writing WAEC and SSS 1 students are yet to resume in schools.
He said that the objective of the race is to develop long distance marathoners.
“The objective of the race, as set by the sponsor, is to develop long distance runners and engage residents of Ikorodu during the Independence Day celebration”, he said.
He appealed for support and sponsorship from private and corporate bodies to help develop the race.
The Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly and the initiator/sponsor of the race, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, assured royal fathers, residents and participants that the race would continue to improve and serves as a platform to breed young talents.
His Royal Father, Oba Kabir Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, His Royal Majesty, Oba Semiudeen Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, His Royal Majesty, Oba Raji Balogun, the Eweye of lsiwu, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, Vice Chairman, Lagos East Senatorial District, Otunba (Sir) Ayodele Elesho, Agbaakin of Ikorodu Kingdom and Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo, Chairman, Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS) also applauded the sponsor of the annual race.
Also at the event were Mr Toyin Gafar Bolowotan, Director – General, Lagos State Sports Commission, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, former Minister of Works, Mrs Anike Adekanye, Tutor – General/Permanent Secretary, Education District II, Dr Abiodun Fatai Abatan, Member, Governing Council, Lagos State Sports Commission, Prince Akeem Olukunga, former Member, Lagos State Sports Commission, Hon. Sulaimon Kazeem Olanrewaju, Chairman, Ikorodu West LCDA, Prince Adio Saka, Chairman, Ikorodu Plaza Management Board,Princess Folashade Olabanji – Oba, Vice Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government among others.
