Okpekpe Road Race: Cash Boost For Winners, Says Itemuagbor

All is set as the inaugural edition of the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race debuts on May 4th in Okpekpe, Edo state.

According to the pioneer of the event, NFF marketing guru Mike Itemuagbor, Okpekpe road race is a product of good thinking by Edo state government in making good roads available that exposes the beautiful topography in the community for the world to admire.

He said athletes coming for the race will have the course to smile as there will be prizes ranging from US dollars for the elites while the local athletes will be paid in naira. Explaining the rational of the prize formula, the Special Adviser to the Edo State government on sports matters said; “There is no difference in the prize money, the Naira reward is for athletes within the community, people around the area, we want them to be part of the action, we have local champions everywhere who might not be professional athletes. But if somebody from my Okpekpe village wins the top prize ($25.000 dollars) so be it. What we are saying is this, if nobody from Okpekpe village was among the top eight, no problem, we have made a provision for them.”

However, Itemuagbor said the race will be continues as some partners are clamoring for about three road races. He also added that the tournament will be broadcast live for the world to see.

Meanwhile, cash prizes for athletes starts from $25.000.00 dollars for first place athlete to $3.000.00 for athlete in the 8th position for males. Females have prizes ranging from $5.000.00 dollars to $1000.00, while the prize money for Okpekpe community athletes ranges from N100, 000 for first position to N5000.00 for athlete in 8th position. It would be noted that the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomole has picked form for the race while athletes from Kenya, Ethiopia and others has signified interest for the race.