The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Hon. Philip Shaibu, has said the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the institute and Bodyline Fitness and Gym Limited will redefine marathon events in Nigeria while promoting fitness, culture and tourism.

NIS boss said that the initiative would also involve the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy to create an event that blends sports with cultural and tourism activities.

Shaibu disclosed this Abuja, during the m signing of the MoU between the National Institute for Sports and Bodyline Fitness and Gym Limited, describing the partnership as a major milestone in the institute’s drive to reposition sports development through strategic collaboration with the private sector.

According to him, the agreement followed months of consultations between both organisations and would introduce a new model for marathon events in the country.

Shaibu said: “This conversation has been going on for quite some time. Our team and your team have been dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s on the Memorandum of Agreement. This agreement will redefine marathon events in Nigeria.

“What we are planning is not the conventional marathon where people simply start, finish, have refreshments and go home. This will be a cultural marathon, combining the race with cultural displays and other social activities. It will be a full-day experience, with the marathon as the first phase, followed by cultural and recreational events.”

Shaibu explained that the event would provide residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and visitors with a fresh sporting experience and could become a template for marathon organisation across the country.

The NIS Director-General commended Bodyline for partnering with the institute, noting that the Federal Government was encouraging stronger public-private collaboration to drive sports, culture and social development.

He added, “It will be a special day for the FCT and for Nigeria to witness a new innovation in marathon organisation. I believe this model will resonate across the country, and many states will embrace it after the first edition.

“Government is looking for collaboration. Government is looking for partners. Government is looking for the private sector to help drive our social, cultural and sporting environment, and Bodyline has come at the right time.”

He said the institute welcomed healthy competition and would continue to innovate even as others replicated the initiative.

He further stressed that sports and fitness programmes such as the initiative would help keep young people productively engaged while encouraging healthier lifestyles among Nigerians.

“When people are actively engaged in sports morning, afternoon and evening, Nigeria becomes safer because they are occupied with positive activities rather than negative ones. We are not only engaging athletes; we are also engaging spectators. It is a win-win situation for everyone,” he said.

Shaibu encouraged Nigerians to participate in the annual event, expressing confidence that it would become one of the country’s biggest sports and recreational festivals.

Speaking earlier at the event, Managing Director of Bodyline Fitness and Gym Limited, Mr. Bankole Opashi, announced the launch of NIS FitLife, the first programme to be implemented under the partnership.

He said the initiative would be launched in Abuja before expanding nationwide, adding that the programme, which has been in existence for seven to eight years, would be transformed through the partnership into an event “bigger than the Lagos Marathon.”

Opashi explained that NIS FitLife would go beyond a half marathon to include charity walks, strength competitions, speed races and other recreational activities, making it a family-oriented sports festival.

He said: “For too long, fitness has been separated from sports, as though it exists on its own. We are bringing fitness back to where it belongs because it is the foundation of sports. This partnership will provide opportunities for training and retraining while ensuring that fitness instructors become part of the country’s sports development policies.”

As part of the ceremony, Bodyline Fitness and Gym Limited presented the official event flag and a branded T-shirt to the National Institute for Sports, symbolising the commencement of the partnership.