LAGOS CITY MARATHON: SPORTS MINISTER, DALUNG NOT HAPPY WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Read Time:1 Minute, 50 Second
Joseph Omoniyi
Minister for sports and youth development, Solomon Dalung has expressed his dissatisfaction over the introduction of participation fees starting from the next edition of the Lagos City Marathon.
The organisers had announced that all participants may have to pay for registration beginning from next year.
Dalung who made this known while speaking with pressmen during the just concluded annual marathon race in the State suggested this gesture may scare the revival of long-distance race in Nigeria.
He said, “I will also appeal to the organisers that introduction of fees should be gradual because we are just reviving the marathon. It should not be scared with the introduction of fees. So we should consider that when we are quite stable”.
He however posited that the introduction of the registration fee will not downplay the participation strength of the race.
“I think even if fees is introduced people are going to pay because if you look at the commitment of the participants, they can afford to do anything to belong. And the most interesting aspect of this marathon is that everybody that participated is given a medal. Everybody is a winner, despite the fact that they don’t have cash prizes”.
The minister also lauded the effort of the State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode in sustaining the yearly event.
“I want to commend the Governor of Lagos State. I think he has already set up a very serious sports event that has strengthened the tourist potentials of this State. The world is beginning to accept the Lagos City marathon, as a person, I am overwhelmed that it happened during my tenure as a minister and I pray for the sustainability of this marathon”, he said.
He further challenged some other states in the country and urged them to emulate Lagos by investing in the marathon race, “We are progressing. I want to challenge the states wheren the potentials of marathon reside. States like Taraba and pleateu to go back to the drawing board and save marathon race in Nigeria, by, investing in it and as a ministry, we are also going to redirect our policies towards deliberate support and encouragement of marathon race in Nigeria”.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0