By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
The Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Premium Trust Bank, Emmanuel Efe Emefienim, said Monday at the bank’s corporate headquarters that the forthcoming maiden Premium Trust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon will be one of the best organised long distance races in the country, assuring that, his bank is ready to raise the bar with the race.
The marathon, organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, holds April 20, 2024 in the nation’s capital and Emefienim says the bank will do everything possible to make it a success and ensure it becomes a reference point for other marathon races in Africa.
In a press conference held at the Premuim Trust Bank headquarters in Lagos, to herald the race, the Managing Director, stated that, the bank which parades itself as a first class financial institution committed to improving lives, empowering people and giving them a sense of belonging will use the marathon to give the youths opportunity to express themselves in areas where they have talents, as well as, help people keep fit and healthy.
He added: “At Premium Trust Bank, we are not new to sports. In 2022, we won the Bank of the Year Sports Development Award and in the same year we were also the lead sponsor of the National Sports Festival.
”The bank also signed a three year sponsorship agreement with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria and sponsored the Bayelsa Queens Football Club of Yenagoa to Morocco for the CAF African Women’s Champions League.
”On empowerment, The Premium Trust Bank has consistently sponsored athletes to enable them perform at the highest level. The bank signed an endorsement deal with world champion Tobi Amusan and Ese Brume, and provided kits and training grants for them. So, at Premium Trust Bank, engagement in sports has become our way of life and something we’re happy to be involved in. And I hope that the Abuja City International Half Marathon will showcase what we have,” he stated.
Also, speaking at the press briefing, the ManagingDirector/ Chief Executive Officer of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, organisers of the marathon, Chief Bukola Olopade, commended the bank’s efforts at sports development, promising that the Premium Trust Bank Abuja Half Marathon will be well organised.
He announced that the prize money ranges from $5,000 to $1,000, for the elite runners, while the first five Nigerians to braze the tape will get N1 million, N750,000, N500,000 and N300,000 down the line.
Technical Director of the race who also doubles as the Chairman of Edo State Sports Commission, Yusuf Ali, gave insight to some of the technical materials needed for the race to make it meet international standard, noting that, World Athletics has already promised that if the race is well organised, it will be upgraded to a label race from the second edition which he said has not happened before anywhere in the world.
According to him, disclosed that the worldclass elite runners already invited for the Half Marathon and top Nigeria runner, world have their names branded on their running shirts in order to ensure the race meets international standard.
He stessed that, he’s already in contact with top five male and female athletes from across the world who will be part of the Premium Trust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon race, expressing hope that it will be upgraded to bronze label in the second edition. READ ALSO:
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He noted: “Right now, we’re working seriously to make sure the race meets international standard. I’m already in touch with top five male and female athletes who will be part of the race and we’ll ensure all logistics are put in place for a successful marathon.
“Already, the World Athletics has promised that once the marathon is well organised, it will achieve bronze label status, from the next edition and very soon, they will be sending one or two officials to Nigeria to inspect what we have for the race,” he concluded.
