As part of early preparation for the 4th Okpekpe 10 kilometer Road Race holding on May 7 at Okpekpe, Etsako East Local Government Area, Edo State, one of the indigenes yesterday announced his plan to sponsor some Nigerian athletes to defeat the Kenyans this year.

The Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami’s Special Adviser, Barrister Sylvester Imhanobe, an author of different law books and a former lecturer with the Nigeria Law School, said he had identified some local talents at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja that could breast the tape before the Kenyans.

“I go to the old parade ground in Abuja here to practise this morning and I have identified some local athletes that I will sponsor to come and run in Okpekpe. This is because we must beat the Kenyans.”

The lawyer was proud that Lagos is now taking a cue from Okpekpe in term of road race.

He said: “We are prepared because you can see we have had it for three years now. Good enough, you can see that Lagos is taking a cue from Okpekpe. They had their first marathon and we watched Lagos marathon closely and we are rated on the international body. We intend to move higher. We are well prepared.”

Similarly, the Ede of Okpekpe, Engr. Donaldson Eshilama, who yesterday, noted that he had already invited three of his friends that have keen interest in sports to grace this year’s event.