Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Premium Trust Bank, Emmanuel Efe Emefienim ( CON, FCIB) says that the forthcoming maiden Premium Trust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon will be one of the best organised long distance races in the country, assuring that his bank is ready to raise the bar with the race
The marathon holds April 20th in the nation’s capital and Emefienim says they will do everything possible to make it a success and ensure it becomes a reference point for other marathon races in Africa.
In a press conference to herald the race, he stated that the bank that parades itself as a financial institution committed to improving lives, empowering people and giving them a sense of belonging will use the marathon to give youths opportunity to express themselves in areas where they have talent as well as help people keep fit and healthy.
At Premium Trust Bank, we are not new to sports, in 2022, we won the Bank of the Year Sports Development Award and in the same year we were also the lead sponsor of the National Sports Festival.
” The bank also signed a three year sponsorship agreement with Athletics Federation of Nigeria and sponsored Bayelsa Queens to Morocco for the African Women’s Champions League.
” On the empowerment of athletes to enable them perform at the highest level, the bank signed an endorsement deal with Tobi Amusan and Ese Brume and provided kits and training funds to them. So, engagement in sports has become our way of life and something we’re happy to be involved in and I hope that the marathon will showcase what we have”, he stated.
Speaking at the press briefing, Chief Executive Officer of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, organisers of the marathon, Chief Bukola Olopade commended the bank’s efforts at sports development, promising that the marathon will be well organised.
He announced that the prize money ranges from $5,000 to $1,000 while the first five Nigerians to braze the tape will get N1 million, N750,000, N500,000 and N300,000 down the line.
Technical Director of the race who also doubles as the Chairman of Edo State Sports Commission, Yusuf Ali gave insight to some of the technical materials needed for the race to make it meet international standard, noting that World Athletics has already promised that if the race is well organised, it will be upgraded to a label race from the second edition which he said has not happened before anywhere in the world.
According to him, inorder to ensure the race meets international standard, he’s already in touch with top five male and female athletes from around the world who will be part of the race, expressing hope that it will be upgraded to bronze label in the second edition.
” Right now, we’re working seriously to make sure the race meets international standard. I’m already in touch with top five male and female athletes who will be part of the race and we’ll ensure all logistics are put in place for a successful marathon.
” Already World Athletics has promised that once the marathon is well organised, it will achieve bronze label from the next edition and very soon, they will be sending one or two officials to come and inspect what we have for the race”, he concluded.
