Former presidential candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has pressured the necessity for Nigerians to pay extra consideration to sports activities and leisure as a method of assuaging poverty.
He suggested youths to take to sports activities because it’s one of many hidden however quickest methods to not solely rapidly get out of boredom however poverty.
Adebayo made this recommendation in his maiden Annual Prince Adewole Adebayo Christmas Marathon held in Ondo State over the weekend, a press release from his media workplace said.
The occasion noticed participation from athletes inside and outdoors Nigeria, together with some Kenyan athletes. Notable attendees included former minister of Energy and Metal, Olu Agunloye, and former minister of Youth and Sports activities, Solomon Dalung.
Adebayo, the initiator of the occasion, mentioned the motivation behind this initiative, stating that the occasion has come to remain and expressed his dedication to nurturing sports activities abilities in Nigeria.
He mentioned, “I consider it can be crucial for Nigerians to interact in sporting actions as a result of sports activities, music, and leisure are highly effective means of reworking impoverished people into stars inside a single era. We’re at present in a interval of human historical past that celebrates expertise.”
He mentioned selling sporting occasions would assist scale back poverty and highlighted the position of self-discipline in sports activities, noting that “anybody who can run a marathon is a disciplined particular person.”
Adebayo expressed his hopes for the marathon to be featured in Nigeria’s sporting calendar subsequent yr and to achieve recognition from the Worldwide Olympic Committee.
The occasion now holds yearly on December 30 for the subsequent 1,000 years, reinforcing his dedication: “This shall be a daily incidence. Individuals got here from all around the world and Nigeria, spanning varied communities and age {groups}. These are initiatives we are able to pursue with out ready for presidency help,” Adebayo added enthusiastically.
Though the Kenyan athletes missed the race, an athlete from the Republic of Benin secured the second place. Among the many members was a 14-year-old who had by no means run a marathon earlier than. Regardless of being initially prevented from taking part, he was allowed to compete with adults and outpaced them.
The winners acquired money prizes of 1 million naira for first place, 5 hundred thousand naira for second place, and 300 thousand naira for third place. Moreover, the organizers awarded fifty thousand naira as comfort to different members.
The athletes have been later acquired by the standard ruler of Ondo kingdom, Oba Adesimbo Victor Kiladejo Adenrele Ademefun Kiladejo, Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom. The athletes have been adorned with garlands on the palace.
Through the reception, Solomon Dalung described the marathon as well-attended and profitable, noting its potential to advertise tourism in Ondo, as members will proceed to go to the hospital kingdom. “We’ll assist all efforts that convey glory and honor to the dominion,” the previous Sports activities minister said.
