Delta, Plateau, Ondo states have won star prizes for male, female categories in the just concluded maiden edition of Calabar Marathon for Sweet Prince.
Over 500 athletic enthusiasts from all over Nigeria participated in the event with the theme: “Abstinence from Drugs.”
Charity Agofure won 1st prize N500,000 in the female category followed by Elizabeth Nuhu Power, 2nd prize N300.000 while Godsmind Nelson took 3rd position with N200,000.
In the male category, Guon James Gyang came first with N500,000 Prize, followed by Shaba Dare Eniola with N300,000 while Josuf Bapite came third with N200,000 prize.
The Cross River State Governor, Sen. Bassey Edet Otu, Flagged off the race at the Eleven Eleven Roundabout on Saturday.
Special Advisor on General Duties, Barr. Ekpenyong Akiba, represented Governor Otu, and spoke on the negative impacts of drugs abuse.
He said the state government deliberately organized the marathon to take the youths away from drugs.
Thereby, creating platform for sports enthusiasts to harness their God given potential and become useful to themselves and the society.
Additionally, he raised the hope that the race will at the end, produce world beaters who will represent the state and Nigeria at the local and global arenas.
“Don’t forget that Calabar is the cradle of modern civilization and that football started here.”
“What we’re doing today is to reenact our first position, recorded in several events to regain our pride of place.”
Also , he said If the youths not gainfully engaged, they will channel those energies to drugs and other vices inimical to their growth.
Otu reflected that over the years, there has been serious hike in drug related crimes amongst the youths.
Therefore, “we find this marathon as the best channel to carry out sensitization campaign against drugs and other vices.”
He noted that this first edition already receiving huge support from several stakeholders in both sports and hospitality industries.
“We are confident that the next year’s event will witnessed humongous participation and supports,” the Governor said.
Meanwhile, Managing Director, State Tourism Bureau, Prince Ekpenyong Ojoi, has described the event as a good tourism offering to state.
Furthermore, he stated, the event was to remind the world that sports started in Calabar.
“Youths all over the world are looking for opportunities to expel those energies in them,” the director added.
“We put this together to trap those energies that often channeled on drugs to a more useful and gainful venture.”
On the security of athletes and other tourists to the state, the Commissioner of Police Cross River State Command, Mr. Gyogon Augustine Grimah, assured all visitors a safe fun and business environment.
He said, the state remains a safe place as his men always on alert to arrest slightest breach of peace.
Moreover, the CP advised youths to get actively involved in various development initiatives put in place by the state government.
The race started at Eleven Eleven Roundabout, through Carnival Calabar Route and terminated at Marina Resort in Calabar south LGA.
