**As Governor Diri Announces Increase in Prize Money
James Gang and Lydia Akusho, both of Plateau State have emerged male and female champions of the sixth edition of the Senator Douye Diri Marathon tagged “SDD Marathon” in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
Gang won the race with a time of 30.58 secs out of 503 registered athletes and 207 participants, Francis James of Plateau came second clocking 32.05:87 while Ismael Sadjo of Cross Rivers finished third with a time of 32.14:31 in the men’s category.
Akusho Lydia of Plateau State, in the women’s event came first with a time of 38.30.37 secs smiling home with ₦1,000,000, Vivian Obediah of Plateau settled for second position, clocking 38:52.78 secs and a prize of ₦500,000 while Tanko Iyanj of Plateau finished third on 38.54.84 ses and going home with ₦300,000.
Andrew Richard of the Bishop Dimeari Grammar School, BDGS won the teen category, Okenema Samuel of Community Secondary School, Okutukutu came second while Chinedu Deindein of BDGS came third with all respectively smiling to the bank while the rest participants got #100,000 each in the teen category for participating.
Igbeita Innocent of Divine International School, Alex Sunshine and Yebiboh Favour respectively finished first, second and third places in the female category.
A visibly elated Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri in a remark, commended the vision bearer of the marathon, Mr Igbeita Odonkumo for sustaining the programme, stating that his administration remains committed to using sports as a tool to positively engage the youths in the State.
The state helmsman urged the eight local government chairmen in the State to organize a marathon in their respective LGAs that would dovetail into the SDD marathon in order to tap more talents from the rural areas that would represent Bayelsa in various national events.
According to him, the local government marathon would commence in 2027 that the LGAs are expected to send their best athletes to the Ministry of Sports Development for Bayelsans to be active in next year’s SDD Marathon.
While congratulating the winners and participants for their show of determination, the governor hinted that Bayelsa would be hosting an international marathon in April this year, describing Bayelsa as a multi-sports State.
He announced an increase in the prize money from the next edition from ₦1,000,000 to ₦2,000,000 for the champions, maintaining that sports have gone beyond entertainment to a money spinning venture.
Commissioner for Sports Development, Chief Daniel Igali in an address, noted that the annual marathon was aimed at improving the speed of the state distance runners, pointing out that this edition witnessed a tremendous improvement from the previous editions.
Earlier in an address of welcome, the convener of the SDD Marathon, Mr Igbeita Odonkumo, said the marathon has continued to unite the nation describing sports as the world’s biggest unifier, pointing out that this year’s edition for the first time attracted international participation.
He noted that the success story of the marathon was incomplete without the effort of the governor who has continued to display his undiminished passion for sports development.
Mr Odonkumo expressed gratitude to the governor, Senator Douye Diri, the Commissioner for Sports Development, Chief Daniel Igali, the wife of the governor, Dr Gloria Diri and other sponsors for their immense support for the programme.
Both champions, Gang James and Akusho Lydia in an interview appreciated the organizers of the marathon for the sustenance of the programme.
