The Nigeria record holder in marathon and one of the best in the world when he was competing said “Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has started what I believe will revive the culture of cross country running and marathon in Nigeria. These are lucrative area of sports where our youth can be gainfully employed.’’
Muhammed posited that the general assumption that Nigeria is a sprint nation discourage investment in road races and marathons, adding, “that assumption that Nigeria is a sprint nation is not backed by fact. The truth is marathon and road races are not encouraged due to ignorance.
“As at the time I was running, the world record in marathon was two hours six minutes 50 seconds held by Ethiopia’s Belayneh Dinsamo and my time then was two hours 16 minutes set in Lagos on September 11, 1990. If I had a sponsor then and competed regularly around the world, I would have returned a better time and competed for the world record.’’
Muhammed said with the Governor Ambode initiative, the culture of marathon running will spread to other parts of Nigeria and lead to the revival of the industry.
“I believe that Lagos being the Center of Excellence, other states emulate them and am appealing to other state governors and political leaders in Nigeria to take a cue from Governor Ambode and arrest unemployment and youth restiveness, solve problems of crime and criminality, and generally engage our youths with road races and marathons.’’
Muhammed posited that since most states and political leaders may not have the resources of Lagos and organize a full marathon with global elite athletes, they could organize five or ten kilometer road races, cross country and half marathon.
