Leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has advised the youth to take to sports, saying it’s one of the hidden but fastest ways to not only quickly get out of boredom but also poverty.

Adebayo gave this advice during his maiden Annual Prince Adewole Adebayo Christmas Marathon held in Ondo over the weekend.

The event saw participation from athletes within and outside Nigeria, including some Kenyan athletes.

Notable attendees included former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, and former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung.

Speaking on the motivation behind the initiative, he stated that the event has come to stay, expressing his commitment to nurturing sports talents in Nigeria.

“I believe it is important for Nigerians to engage in sporting activities because sports, music, and entertainment are powerful means of transforming impoverished individuals into stars within a single generation. We are currently in a period of human history that celebrates talent,” he said.

Adebayo emphasised that promoting sporting events would help reduce poverty. He highlighted the role of discipline in sports, noting that “anyone who can run a marathon is a disciplined person.”

He expressed hope that the marathon would feature in Nigeria’s sporting calendar next year and gain recognition from the International Olympic Committee.

“The event now holds yearly on December 30 for the next 1,000 years. This will be a regular occurrence. People came from all over the world and Nigeria, spanning various communities and age groups. These are initiatives we can pursue without waiting for government assistance,” Adebayo added.

Although Kenyan athletes missed the race, an athlete from the Republic of Benin secured the second position. Among the participants was a 14-year-old who had never run a marathon before. Despite being initially prevented from participating, he was allowed to compete with adults and outpaced them.

The winners received cash prizes of N1 million for the first position, N500,000 for second position, and N300,000 for third place. Additionally, the organisers awarded N50,000 each as consolation prizes to other participants.

The athletes were later received by the traditional ruler of Ondo kingdom, Oba Adesimbo Victor Kiladejo Adenrele Ademefun Kiladejo, Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, who adorned them with garlands at the palace.

During the reception, Dalung described the marathon as well-attended and successful, noting its potential to promote tourism in Ondo.

“We will support all efforts that bring glory and honour to the kingdom,” the former Sports Minister stated.