Just as the popular saying that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step, the first edition of Premium Trust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon, which holds on Saturday 20 April, in the Nigerian capital city, has been described as the birth of what will later become a destination for distance runners in the future.
This was the faith of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Premium Trust Bank, Mr Emmanuel Efe Emefienim, who told the world of the commitment of the bank to see successful hosting of the marathon event on yearly basis starting from the maiden edition coming up in April.
Emefienim, a sports enthusiast and one of the rare gem who believes in the Nigeria Project, said that the sponsorship of the half marathon race by Premium Trust Bank is not by accident, adding that “we are not taking up this sponsorship as a ‘sprint’ event that will only last within a 100m space, but we are doing this as a ‘marathon’ that will see us and the organisers taking the championship to a very great height.
“The Premium Trust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon is our commitment to Nilayo Sports because we are a bank which prides itself on improving life and impacting the communities to give our people a sense of belonging.
“The organisation of the half marathon race is a platform for us to foster community spirit, to engage the youth in a competitive sense and encourage our youth to take sports and earn a living.
“From the first edition which will be held on 20 April 2024, we hope to see the half marathon growing to become a destination for marathon runners across the world. We believe in what Nilayo Sports is doing and we are glad to be a partner to bring this into the country,” Emefienim said at a press conference held at the Corporate Head Office of Platinum Trust Bank on Victoria Island, Lagos, southwest Nigeria Monday evening.
The CEO of Nilayo Sports Management, Bukola Olopade said the bank has been known to be a major contributor of empowerment for the youth across Africa through sports, adding that the enthusiasm officials of World Athletics have for a half marathon taking place in Nigerian capital city, Abuja prompted them to plan to send a high-power delegation to monitor procceeding of the event with a view of giving a label status in its second edition.
Yusuf Ali, Technical Director of the race who is also the Chairman of Edo State Sports Commission, said that all hands will be on deck to ensure that all technical details that will facilitate the approval of the race being upgraded to a label race are put on the ground.
“This will be a rare opportunity for a race to be approved to a label race in one edition. We will not want to miss this chance and work is ongoing to have details and facilities put in place. I want to say that Premium Trust Bank is doing a great job with all support.,” Ali said.
He revealed that the prize money ranges from $5,000 to $1,000 for winners in both men and women’s categories, while the first five Nigerians to braze the tape will get N1 million, N750,000, N500,000 and N300,000 down the line.
“We have invited elite runners across the world to be part of this first edition to enhance the status of the race and I am sure that all other things being equal, we are getting a bronze libel status for Premium Trust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon in its second edition. This will be a record-breaker,” Ali said.
