By Aiyeku Timothy 

The organizers of the 2024 PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon, Nilayo Sports Management, have announced mouth-watering cash prizes for winners of the road race billed for Saturday, April, 20, in Abuja.

Making this known at a press briefing, held at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja on Friday, the MD Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Chief Bukola Olopade, noted that the race was not about the financial gain but lifestyle, healthy living and empowerment. 

The exceptional 21km race, which is the first of its kind in the Federal Capital City, Abuja, will reward both international and local athletes accordingly.  

However, a substantial cash prize of $5000 has been announced for international athletes, while runner-up will earn $3000, $2000, $1000, and $700, respectively.

Local winners will also smile home with N1m, N750k, and N500k, respectively.

In his words, “The beautiful thing about road running is that people are not just motivated by the pecuniary gain. It’s about lifestyle, it’s about healthy living, it’s about empowerment.

“This is why you must thank Premier Trust Bank and other sponsors for their intentional focus on energizing and empowering young people in this country.”

Announcing the cash prizes, Chief Olopade said, “We have two different price categories. We have the local and the international. 

“For the international, 1st price is $5000, 2nd $3000, the $2000, $1000, $700. Let me re-emphasize that Nilayo Sports Management is the only road running organizer that tends to organize local prize money. 

“It is because we want our local runners to tie their apron effectively to that of the international runners. Thankfully, Premium Trust Bank has given us enough funding to be able to empower a lot of Nigerian youths that will come crossing. If at all, a Nigerian comes 1st position overall, he will go away with the dollar and the naira.”

“But we have also paid a lot of money to bring top runners. We didn’t want to bring wishy-washy runners. We also paid appearance fees to bring some amazing runners. This is a well funded race, and again, I thank Premium Trust bank for bringing this together.” He concluded.

The event was also  graced with the presence of Mr Luka Istifanus – Director of Sports, FCT, Mr Segun Ogunleye – General Manager Marketing 7up Nigeria, Chief Solomon Ogba - NOC Vice Chairman, Joseph Ohia – Nord Motors, Nordin Khan – President World Utra Running, Mr Olamide Bello – GM Sales & Business Dev’t, Dana Group,  and distinguished members of the press.