ABA – No fewer than two big media networks in Nigeria have agreed to broadcast the 2014 Aba Half-Marathon live, the Project Manager of the event, Mr Seye Adebayo, said on Monday.
Adebayo, who refused to name the networks, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Aba, Abia that many foreign athletes had indicated interest to participate in the marathon, scheduled to hold on Dec. 21.
According to him, the marathon’s growing popularity, which has earned it listing with the International Amateur Athletics Federation calendar, will help showcase Aba to the world.
“Two of the biggest media networks in the country have bought into the Marathon; they are very interested.
“They are going to participate. We are working out on getting live transmission for the marathon this year.
“So even people who are at home across the country can sit in the comfort of their homes and know, oh the race is going on in Aba.
“So so so is the one leading the race; you will get real time feedbacks on the progress of the runners.“
Adebayo said that the marathon would help to develop quality athletes for the country, adding that the development of marathon would yield economic benefits for the state and the country through sports tourism. [eap_ad_1] On the alleged complaint by the Abia chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) that the 2013 edition of the marathon disrupted church service of their members living on the marathon routes, Adebayo said the organisers received no such complaint.
He said, “Well on the issue of CAN, you talked about, officially or in any other way, we have not received any complaint from CAN.
“The kind of community service we believe we are rendering is less than 30 minutes inconvenience which really is nothing.
“One of the teachings of Christ is on tolerance. So, I believe if CAN has any issues and it approaches us we can work around it with the aid of security agencies.“
Adebayo said that the Aba Half Marathon had instituted two prize categories for the 2014 edition for local athletes and their foreign counterparts.
According to him, this is in line with the original idea of the marathon which is aimed at encouraging and developing local athletes for future world athletic competitions. (NAN)
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