Okpepke 10km Road Race: 110 elite athletes from 15 countries signify interest

ABIODUN JIMOH, BENIN CITY

No fewer than fifteen countries have signified interest to participate at the forthcoming 7th Okpekpe 10 kilometer road race slated for May 25th, 2019.

The silver label road race billed to hold at Okpekpe, Etsako Central area, Edo State will feature new entrants from United State of America, China and Eritrea, while the likes of Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique among others have registered for the event.

This was made known during a press briefing on the race held at the Edo Government House, Benin City on Friday.

In his address, the deputy governor of the state, Comrade Philip Shaibu praised the organiser for efficient organisation of the race in the past six years, adding that different categories would be competed for by various participants. “I want to run and win a ticket that will enable me to run at any international organise events.”

According to the organiser of the race, Mike Itemuagbor at the briefing, he noted that all necessary arrangements towards successful organisation of the race have been put in place, adding that they want to start the race clean, and end it clean as well.

He explained that the accreditation would commence on May 21 -24, 2019 at Fatimah College, Jattu, while ten hotels within Auchi have been booked for athletes and guests.

Similarly, Yusuf Ali, the technical director of the race confirmed the countries registered so far for the event. He added a that plans to upgrade Okpekpe race to become gold label international event are being taken by the organiser.

On the security aspect, it was told that adequate security have been provided just as sniffing dogs, chopper to monitor the proceeding would be deployed by the police to forestall any hitches.

In the same vein, Dr. Nnamdi Jude of University of Benin confirmed that medical team would be adequate enough to cater for all athletes at the race.