Okpekpe Race Gets IAAF Silver Label
The Okpekpe international 10km Road Race has been elevated to an International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Silver Label event. This good news was conveyed to the promoter of the race,Mike Itemuagbor by Alessio Punzi,the IAAF Road Running Manager.
‘’Following a thorough review of your application; in recognition of the role played by your event for the promotion of elite road racing in your region,
and of your efforts towards the improvement of the technical aspects of the event, the IAAF is happy to inform you that the Okpekpe Road Race 10KM is
upgraded to IAAF Silver Label status for 2018,’wrote Punzi in an email to Itemuagbor.
Spokesman for the race,Dare Esan says organisers of the history-making race is happy about the development.
‘We are delighted the IAAF has recognised our leading role in promoting road running in Nigeria and the West African sub-region.The Okpekpe international
10km road race has set the pace for other road races in Nigeria nay West Africa.We are the first road race in West Africa to be designated by the IAAF as one
of the leading road races around the world since the classification was introduced in 2008.For three years since 2015 the race was organised under the
prestigious IAAF Road Race Bronze Label and and now we are the first road race to be granted a silver label status in West Africa,’said Esan..
He revealed the official Label certificate signed by the IAAF president,Lord Sebastian Coe has been received by the organisers of the race.
‘The success story of the Okpekpe international 10km road race would not have been possible without the active role played by the Edo state
government who provided the enabling environment, including a world class tarred road from Auchi to the hilly town of Okpekpe.We are particularly grateful to His Excellencies, Comrade Adam Oshiomole,the immediate past governor of Edo state under whose watch the race was launched and his successor, Godwin Obaseki whose advice and words of encouragement have made the race better. We are also grateful to the Honourable Minister of Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung who availed us of his presence at the fifth edition of the race on May 13 this year’.