Daily Independent Online.
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Wednesday, July 21, 2004.
MTN sticks to Lagos for half marathon
By Peter Edema
Senior
Correspondent,
Lagos
Sponsors of the
annual Lagos International Half Marathon, MTN Nigeria will host the third
edition of the championship in Lagos despite the crisis that rocked the 2003
edition of the championship taking away the hype.
MTN PR manager, Mr.
Calixthus Okoruwa, while officially commissioning the marathon press centre
located on 36A Toyin Street, Ikeja-Lagos, on Tuesday said the third edition of
the marathon would hold in Lagos, disclosing that all logistics at ensuring a
successful championship have been put in place.
The centre, he
said, was a workstation with all facilities needed to assist the media in the
discharge of their responsibilities.
“There is
internet access 24 hours. A journalist may seek and get the latest information
about the MTN Lagos International Half Marathon,” he said. The marathon,
said Tunji Adeyinka, MTN Events, Sponsorship and Promotion Manager, was more
than athletes running for victory or returning fantastic time.
“It is beyond
athletes wishing to win. There are those participating for charity. Those
running for social cause that want to draw attention to their belief and raise
money for a particular cause,” he said, adding that the essence was to
build marathon culture in the country.
The Lagos State
Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Hon Bamidele Opeyemi,
who declared the centre open, said the government was thrilled by the choice of
Lagos as host of the annual event, noting that the state government enjoyed and
support the marathon. He said it was worthy of support and emulation by other
corporate organisations.
