‘Edo athletes to witness a new dawn’

Dele Edokpaiye, chairman, Edo State Amateur Athletics Association, has promised a new dawn for athletes in the state as the association is poised to introduce events to keep the athletes in top shape.

The chairman said this at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadiun, Benin while speaking at the maiden edition of the South-South Independent Day 10km road race.

Edokpiaye said this is part of efforts aimed at repositioning the association, in a bid for the state to improve on its current standing among states with World class athletes.

While not particularly unfolding his programmes, Edokpaiye advised the athletes to prepare themselves for the expected positive changes.

Similarly,  the vice chairman of the association and sponsor of the event, Rosa Collins, stressed the need for athletes to always encourage themselves.

Collins, a former African record holder in triple jump, also promised a better package for the athletes, beginning from 2017 and to make the South-South Independent Day 10km race an annual event.

Athletes from Delta, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River and Edo states featured in the race.

In the male category, athletes from Cross River, Ismael Sadjo and Soudi Hamadjam, won the first and second position in a time of 31:04 and 33:13 respectively, while Edetanlen Os-Moses from Edo, came third in a time of 34:16.

In the female category, Peace Ikerede (48:24), Mercy Edward (51:18) and Blessing Ehigiator (1:38:60), all from Edo, took the first, second and third position respectively.