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The founder of Onitsha Business School and Chief Promoter of Onitsha City Marathon, Prof. Olusegun Sogbesan disclosed this on Monday during a briefing to mark the unveiling of three critical partners for the project.
The partners of the project unveiled included Afia TV as broadcast rights owners, Y&T Sports as a technical partner and GLS Project as marketing partner.
Sogbesan noted the organisers proposed over N1billion for the project ahead of the September 30, 2023, 21km race in the Anambra State commercial capital, Onitsha.
According to him, the marathon race was organised as a prelude to the Ofala Festival of the Igwe of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, Agbogidi of Onitsha noting that unlike the 2019 edition, this year’s edition had enjoyed the backing of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo-led Anambra State Government.
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He said the competition was aimed at putting Onitsha in front of the sporting world, stressing that the organisers would stop at nothing in delivering best of the Marathons known to history.
A veteran sports analyst, Philip Balepo and one of the promoters of OCM said, ‘Afia TV is owned by former NBC Director General, Emeka Mba while GLS Projects is owned by renowned FIFA players’ licenced agent, John Shittu who also managed former Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel; Liberian President, George Opong Weah as a footballer and another foremost Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo.’
Balepo said the organisers would commence a sensitisation exercise for the OCM within Onitsha from the Chuba Ikpeazu and the Achebe stadia. He hinted that 50 viewing centres would be provided within the state during the race, adding, “This is to ensure that all citizens of the state get an opportunity to watch the race even without being present at the starting point, end point or even within the routes of the race.”
The marketing partner, GLS Projects, represented by Seun Olayiwola, assured that funding the project would not be a problem.
Patrick Onyedum, Chairman of Anambra State Sports Commission, expressed happiness with the synergy between the organisers and his commission, as well as with the Anambra State government.
