Adelabu, Onovwotafe worried by growing trend of marathon races in Nigeria

Former Green Eagles winger, Adegoke Adelabu, is worried over the growing number of marathon races in the country.   “We are in a country, where no one accounts for anything, and my major concern about this growing number of marathon races in Nigeria is for the innocent athletes, who will be subjected to rigorous training. They have no future advantage in this sport,” Adelabu, a sport scientist, told The Guardian, yesterday.   Adelabu said that even though marathon races will open up competition for more athletes’ participation, there are more negative sides to it, particularly for a nation like Nigeria that has its strength in the short sprints (100m, 200m, the jumps and relays).   

ALSO speaking yesterday, proprietor of Cable Sports Academy, Coach Edwin Onovwotafe, said that it is time government stopped the growing number of marathon races in Nigeria.

“Sincerely speaking, marathon races are not Nigeria’s area of strength, and I feel those organising it in our country are only providing the funds for the Kenyans, Ethiopians and Ugandans to prepare themselves for major championships like the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and African Games, whereas, our area of strength  (short sprints) are neglected.    “Between October 2022 to date, there have been several marathon or road races in various parts of Nigeria, including Bayelsa, Warri, Lagos and Jos. Other marathon races are being lined up in Abuja, Okpekpe in Edo State, Sagamu, Abeokuta and Remo in Ogun State.

Surprisingly, both the government and some corporate organisations are embracing it blindly without thinking of how to empower our sprinters, jumpers and hurdlers.     “Since the commencement of this athletics season, only Gombe State has put up a programme for