BY MAGNUS EMUJI
THE need for Delta State Government, spirited individuals and organizations to partner through sponsorship the initiative of Prinston Akpojaro’s 10km road race for public and private secondary schools, adults and civil servants has been brought to the fore.
Chief Inspector of Education for Oshimili South Local Government Area, Lady Emilian Djoma and the Sports Consultant to Princeton Akpojaro Running Enterprise, Coach Eddy Osasuyi made the call in Asaba during the 5th edition of Prinston Akpojaro 10km road race for different categories of runners.
They commended the sole sponsor of the 10km road race for his Initiative and for encouraging sports development in the State, adding that with the collaboration of the state government and other well-meaning individuals and organizations, the competition would be open to more interested runners from the various local government areas.
Djoma and Coach Osasuyi underscored the importance of sports development, noting that the 10km road race would help to strengthen the body system and enhance the health of the runners in the various categories of the road race.
The CIE specifically stated that as the host for Oshimili South and environs for the running competition, she intensified awareness creation, which according to her resulted in the increase in the number of runners for the competition.
Speaking further, Coach Osasuyi explained that Akpojaro was a United Kingdom based Nigerian from Delta State that specializes in long distance running abroad, who decided to bring the gesture back home to encourage Deltans and residents in the State.
He emphasized that the sponsorship of the race would enhance sustenance and bring the children together just as he mentioned that the gesture would also help to checkmate youth restiveness I’m the society.
Earlier, the CEO of Princeton Akpojaro Running Enterprise, Mr. Princeton Akpojaro said that his ambition was to encourage the culture of long distance running and reminded the runners that the more they progressed from young runners to adults runners , they would gradually become professional runners.
Akpojaro stated that outside of creating fun for the children, the road race would enhance self- participation, coordination, discipline and the ability for the runners to pick themselves and finish the line even as he told them that the more professional they become the more they could be traveling abroad for competitions.
He said that the road race was good for the health and another avenue where the children who would not want to be playing football, basketball or swimming could go into and hinted that over 600 runners participated in the 5th edition of the 10km road race in Asaba.
In an interview with journalists, some winners in various categories including master Joshua Jona from Ugbolu secondary school, Oshimili North who took the first position in the secondary school male category, the best in the female adult category, Blessing Bulos from Rivers State, best in the adult male category, Clinton Amara , Hope Lebe and Chineze Odum as well as Mr. Anthony Akporaivi appreciated Mr. Princeton Akpojaro for his unwavering commitment towards empowering children and youths through the competition.
They appealed to the state government to partner with Princeton Akpojaro to sustain the annual 10km road race in the State.
The first position in each categories would go home with the sum of #150, 000, and any school whose representatives won would have automatically won same prize while the second and third position would receive #75,000 and #30,000 respectively.
It could be recalled that the 6th edition of the 10km road race for Ughelli was held two weeks ago.
