Port Harcourt Marathon’ll Open Up Rivers Economy – Fubara

Rivers State Governor, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, has said that the government decided to host the 2024 Rivers International marathon despite the challenges because it wanted to open up the economy of the State to global investment opportunities.
The Governor also said that his administration was already committed to youth development by expanding the space and exposing them to a variety of sporting activities to groom potential talents for excellence and attainment of their aspirations.
The governor stated this at the close of Rivers International Marathon 2024 at Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Elekahia in Port Harcourt on Saturday.
He expressed delight that the event, first of its kind in the State has been successfully hosted, despite the fact that it was initially difficult, to reconcile the position of the organisers and the sponsors on its importance, objectives and how to make it glamorous.
“When we started the planning, we had a lot of issues but somehow along the way, we finally agreed and resolved all the bottlenecks, challenges, more especially, finances to host this event.
“But, I can say, on our part as a government and also as host of an event that has never taken place in Rivers State before, we were a bit far apart from the organizers,” Fubara said.
The governor further said, “This is because all they were saying was like, if I could liken it to anything, the cost could even help me renovate a school.
“So, I asked, why should I spend such money for just marathon? But they convinced us that this event will open the doors economically to the world and for Rivers State.
“And for that reason, we gave them all the support that was needed for it to be a success. And I can say to the glory of God that I am happy that we are here today witnessing it live and direct.”
Governor Fubara assured that there will likely be a second edition, adding that it will be better than the first because the mistakes will be corrected in order to achieve the desired expectation.
The Governor, who congratulated the winners of the competition, assured that his administration will sustain support for all youths who want to explore their sporting talents in the State and help them to blossom.
“For us as a government, we know the importance of sports. We know that sports and youth development go together. For that reason, we are not going to joke in the aspect of youth development. We are not going to joke in the aspect of sports development.”
The Governor said such winning, on the side of women teams and on the side of the male teams, clearly showed that so much has been done right to place the sports sector on a good footing in the State.
Governor Fubara decorated the winners with their medals and presented them with their prizes while also announcing N5million apiece to each of the first place winners as support from the State Government.
In the 45Km Elite Race, Gyang Boyi Nyango of Plateau State emerged overall best (male) with 2 hours, 28 minutes, 29 seconds to clinch the Gold Medal with the accompanying prize of $10,000 plus the N5million support from the Rivers State Government.
Peninah Arusei from Kenya finished tops as the female in the 45Km Elite Race with total time of 2 hours, 48 minutes and 23 seconds to clinch the Gold Medal and win the prize money of $10,000 and also getting the N5million support from the State Government.
While Iliya Pam Nwanta from Plateau State was the first runner-up, winning silver medal; Isti Fanus Peter Maham from Plateau State got the Bronze Medal.
Governor Fubara announced a complimentary monetary award of N1million to the athletes in the first 20 places behind the gold medal winners as encouragement to them, saying that it will motivate others to consider joining in the competition in the future.
In the 30 meters race, Governor Fubara emerged winner and had his medal presented to him by Chairman, Governing Council of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka.
Wife of Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, won the second place in the 30 meters race and had her medal presented to her by the Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
The Commissioner for Sports, Mr Christopher Green, said it is now well known that the State has become the hub of sports in Nigeria, which he attributed to the support Governor Fubara has given to sports.
Green also said that Rivers United Under-17 Team won gold medal in the maiden National Under 17 Football League tournament in Benin; Rivers Hoopers Basketball Club won the Premiership Basketball Tournament here in Nigeria, all within less than one year of Governor Fubara in office.
“Your Excellency, all these did not happen because of their might, but because of what you have done. You have not only encouraged us financially, spiritually, and physically, but you have followed every activity of the sporting family in this State.
“The Rivers Queens won the Handball in Nigeria, same in one year. Same goes to our Table Tennis Team that was declared the best in this country, having won the Gold Medal at the just-concluded National Table Tennis Championship.
“As if that is not enough, Sir, your own daughter, Queen Dan Jumbo was declared the best Female Chess player in this country, all by your own support and motivation.
“As if that is not enough, our Beach Volleyball Team won the Gold Medal in Male; Silver Medal in Male in the just concluded Beach Volleyball that took place in Ibeno in Akwa Ibom State”, he said.