Onitsha City Marathon Members Unveil Official Partners, Ready For September 30, 2023 Race
By Polycarp Ifeanyi, Onitsha
In preparation for this year's Marathon race, the Onitsha City Marathon (OCM) during her 2nd would press conference which held in Onitsha, Anambra State unveilled official broadcasting and sports Marketing partners
In his opening remarks, Deputy Project Manager of the organization, Mr. Philip Chukwunweike Balepo introduced Afia TV, GLS project and Y& T sports management as the official partners of Onitsha City Marathon.
He explained that this year's Marathon race would kick off on September 30, 2023, saying that it would be a unique one as inner city rally would also begin in preparation for it.
He further mentioned Chuba Ikpazu stadium and Godwin Achebe stadium as the strategic stadiums in Onitsha which they would use during the inner city rally.
" We will make this year's Marathon race to be special and we will carry everybody along. This time around, we will go to Nnewi, Main Market and other notable places only to sensitize people about Marathon race. We will engage in raffle draw as well as invite Ogene troupe during jogging while Afia TV transmit all our activities live" Said Balepo.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Anambra State Sports Development Commission ( ASDC), Mr. Patrick Onyedum stated that the establishment of Onitsha City Marathon would contributes immensely in changing the narratives of Onitsha.
He noted that through the Onitsha City Marathon sporting events, Onitsha which is predominantly known for trade and commerce would also be popular in terms of sports.
He added that such positive narrative prompted him to give his full support to Onitsha City Marathon, even as he made them known that Governor Chukwuma Soludo is aware of their existence.
" Today is the greatest day and I want to assure you people that our Governor is aware of your existence. I am impressed because I am also a guru in sports. The main reasons why I gave my support to Onitsha City Marathon is that it would change the narratives of what people used to say about Onitsha.
Every thing is not about making money. I am optimistic that Onitsha City Marathon would take Anambra State to the next level and turn Onitsha around. It would also be avenue to show people that we are leaving comfortable in Anambra State and that is why Onitsha City Marathon was first to partner with my office" Said Onyedum.
Unveiling the partners, the Director General of Onitsha City Marathon, Professor Olusegun Oludapo Segun Sogbesan hinted that with their partners especially Afia TV and GLS, all the activities of Onitsha City Marathon would be globally transmitted live.
He revealed that they have engaged Afia TV for the next five years, praising all their partners mostly GLS sports who he said displays information before the commencement of Offala festival of Onitsha monarch and expressed optimism that with their collaboration, the entire world would be enjoying the activities of Onitsha City Marathon.
Sogbesan equally appreciated the traditional ruler of Onitsha kingdom, Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe who he said had been sharing his supreme love since the establishment of Onitsha City Marathon project, even as he noted that the Agbogidi gives them encouragement and prayed God to bless him immensely.
In their seperate speeches, the General Manager of Afia TV, Nnamdi Obanya and Manager of GLS project, Seun Olayiwolu John Smith rained encomium to Onitsha City Marathon members and pledged their maximum services, even as Mr. Obanya noted that Afia TV is not only shooting and reporting event, but they also build portfolio in the South East.
Some of dignitary at the event included; the Ubom of Onitsha kingdom, Chief Etukokwu Obiora, Anambra State Sports director, Mrs. Faith Okwunna, Chairman of Anambra sports writers Association of Nigeria (ASWAN), Mr. Tony Orji, public Relation Officer (PRO) Nigeria Olympic Committee, Mr. Anthony Nezianya amongst other.