Follow Us on Google
Ethiopians sweep top prizes in maiden Yenagoa City International 10km race
From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State says the current administration will continue to invest in sports development to allow youths to actualise their potential.
The governor stated this at a ceremony at the Peace Park, opposite Government House, shortly after the first Yenagoa City International 10-kilometre race.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Peter Akpe, he underscored the immense benefits of sports and fitness, which, according to him, help citizens to remain healthy and free from illnesses and diseases.
While congratulating the organisers, the state Ministry of Sports and participants, he noted that the Yenagoa City International 10km Race 2026 has projected Bayelsa to the world while providing a positive image for the state.
The Bayelsa governor maintained that his administration would continue to accord priority to sports as it mobilises individuals for mass participation and provides career paths for sportsmen and women for global recognition.
He advised the athletes to remain committed to continuous training to become great sportsmen and Olympians like the state Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Daniel Igali.
His words: “As a State, we will continue to support sports, especially in events like this that attract thousands of participants. We have all seen the glamour and the joy from this marathon.
“This Yenagoa City International 10km Race is historic. This is the first of its kind in Bayelsa State. When I was in Sports, we used to have the Olympic Day Run. And annually, we looked up to it.
Other News
“This is the time when everybody is part of the sporting industry to mobilise people for massive participation.
“We cannot overemphasise the importance of sports for fitness, even as a career. Several of our people have benefited from this. One example is our own Commissioner for Sports, Daniel Igali. That is part of the dividends of participating in sports.
“Today, we are gathered here, and Bayelsa is being advertised positively to the world. We have participation of this magnitude brought to the State and Yenagoa City. So, we want to congratulate the organisers, those who mooted this idea, the Sports Ministry and the athletes. So, I appreciate you all.
“We believe this has come to stay in Bayelsa, and we will do better next time. To our athletes, I want you to continue training because training does not end on the day you want to compete.”
In the race proper, Ethiopia’s Habtamu Birhane Molla won the first prize of $5,000 in the men’s category, breasting the tape in 29 minutes 23 seconds.
Two Nigerians placed second and third, as 17-year-old Gang James, a native of Plateau State who just finished at Victory Academy High School, Jos, clocked 29 minutes 59 seconds to take home $3,000, while Francis James followed with 30 minutes 16 seconds to earn $2,000. Nigerians also finished fourth and fifth.
In the women’s category, it was a clean sweep for Ethiopian athletes, namely Shewaye Tolosa, Tigist Girma Arseta and Worke Gacasho Jilo, who claimed the first, second and third prizes.
The first Nigerian was Daylop Patience, who placed fourth in 35:07.66, while her compatriot, Vivian Nenyitwe Obadiaha, finished fifth in 35:07.66.
Dignitaries at the event included top officials from the Bayelsa State Government, including the Chairman, House Committee on Sports, State House of Assembly, Hon. Tare Porri; the Managing Director of the consulting outfit Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Mrs Yetunde Olopade; a representative of World Athletics and President of the International Association of Ultrarunners, Nadeem Khan; Olympian and former Nigerian long jump record holder Yusuf Alli; among others.
