Dr. Peter Mbah, the Governor of Enugu State, received praise and applause from the state’s residents for actively engaging in the 2024 Coal City Half Marathon held in the capital city last Saturday.
During the marathon, Governor Mbah assured that his administration was dedicated to enhancing and elevating future marathons in the state to attract international athletes, aiming to establish it as a prestigious global sporting event.
Participating in the 21.79km half marathon that commenced at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Governor Mbah highlighted the event as a platform for identifying emerging talents and promoting fitness among sports enthusiasts and the elderly to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
He emphasized the government’s commitment to sustaining and building on the remarkable success achieved in this year’s marathon through strategic investments in sports industry development, particularly in sporting infrastructure and facilities. The state views sports as a lucrative business contributing to the creation of wealth for its people.
“Our emphasis is on substantial investments in the sports sector, viewing sports not just as leisure but as a crucial business opportunity,” Governor Mbah stated. He also mentioned the ongoing renovations to upgrade the stadium to international standards and the forthcoming establishment of a top-notch entertainment and sports center to bolster the state’s sports industry.
Congratulating participants from over 20 states who attended the event, Governor Mbah underscored the event’s objective to foster unity, discipline, and cooperation among Nigerians. He expressed optimism that with the administration’s dedicated investments, the state would soon be recognized in global athletics competitions.
“Our ultimate goal is to elevate the Enugu State Marathon to an international level within a few years, joining prestigious world athletic events like the Boston Marathon and the London Marathon,” he affirmed.
Prior to the marathon, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Barr Lloyd Ekweremadu, outlined that a key aim of the event was to promote a culture of sports and fitness conducive to healthy development.
He praised the event’s success, noting that participants from other states appreciated the hospitality and the governor’s outstanding infrastructural initiatives in the state. The winners of this year’s Marathon were Francis James, Israel Sadjo, and Nenfort Mathias, clinching the top positions in the male category, and Patience Dahyop, Agofurb Charity, and Munitikat Emmanuel securing the top spots in the female category.