Waziri urges northern governors to emulate Lagos City Marathon

Former Nigerian roadrunner, Yohanna Waziri, has showered encomiums on the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his instant impact on the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.

Waziri who competed in the men’s marathon at the 1988 Summer Olympics said he was very happy to see the Lagos City Marathon move up the ladder from the World Athletics Bronze Level, it was during the regime of the former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to a World Athletics Silver Label month into the tenure of Sanwo-Olu.

Waziri, whose personal best is 2hours 15 minutes achieved over two decades ago, is confident that Sanwo-Olu will take the race to Gold and even Platinum label.

“I must say that I am very delighted with the way the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is getting bigger and bigger every year, from no label at all, it is now a Silver Label. I congratulate everyone that has worked hard to bring this to reality especially Governor Sanwo-Olu and Yusuf Alli,” he said.

Waziri noted that the gains accrued from the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon were enormous as Nigeria is beginning to claw her way back to relevance as far as long-distance races are concerned.

“Since it (Access Bank Lagos City Marathon) started, it has been a blessing because the culture of long-distance races is back and more races are springing up from across the states.

“The athletes are also improving each year and they are getting good money for their hard work. It has really been a commendable innovation”

Waziri then challenged northern governors to emulate Sanwo-Olu.

For Waziri, it is not good enough that while northern athletes rule long distant races in Nigeria, virtually all their states can’t boast of any world-class marathon as obtained in Lagos.

“Yes, I will like to appeal to our governors in the North to learn from what Sanwo-Olu has continued in Lagos. We need quality races in the North. Our region already boasts of top athletes and I know many more will be unearthed if we take this serious like Lagos is doing” Waziri stated.

The 2020 edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is billed for February 8 with a long list of Gold and Silver Labelled athletes already confirmed for the race.