The Edo Government says it will do everything possible to ensure the upcoming Okpekpe competition gets a “Gold Label Badge’’ rating by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
The Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, gave the assurance to Nigerians on Wednesday in Benin when he hosted members of the Local Organising Committee, IAAF delegate and media partners of the event. He congratulated the race’s technical team for the efforts put in to ensure the upgrade of the race to a silver label badge, saying all modalities would be put in place to ensure the success of this year’s edition.
He said that government would also ensure more communities get international recognition by exposing them to more sports activities and exploring their cultural potential to boost the economy of the state.
He used the occasion to announce his participation in the event as a professional as against joining VIPs in previous editions. “My participation is to create awareness, to stop violence against women and human trafficking.
’’ Earlier, the IAAF delegate, Norrie Williamson, said the organisers of the competition had done well over the years to ensure the upgrade of the competition to a silver label badge.
Williamson said that a favourable report would aid the quick upgrade to Gold Label badge. On his part, the Technical Director of the competition, Brown Ebewele, said the local organising committee had brought innovations, and confirmed that there would be parity between the local athletes and their international counterparts. Ebewele added that the innovations introduced in this year’s race is the inclusion of live broadcast of the event to over 50 countries, as well as live online feeds.(NAN)
