The 2020 National Anti-Corruption Marathon Race, which was initially scheduled for December 19, has been postponed indefinitely.
The postponement is coming on the heels of the rising cases of COVID-19 pandemic in the country especially in the last one week with the authorities contemplating imposing another lockdown on the country.
According to a statement made available to newsmen yesterday by Mr Jacob Onu, the National Coordinator of the Marathon Race and CEO of Fairplay Sports International and its partners, the decision to cancel the event “was influenced by the Presidential Task Force guidelines on COVID-19 and our commitment to ensure that our races are conducted with utmost consideration of the health risks participants will be exposed to.”
According to him, “We have had a successful Annual Youths and Students Summit on the National Anti-Corruption Marathon. The race is the last leg but I’m saddened by the sudden rise of COVID-19 cases in the country. We cannot jeopardize the health of our athletes and citizens. It’s quite unfortunate”
Onu insisted that “We will keep the public updated on the revised date of the race pending when it is safe for large gatherings. We regret any inconveniences caused by this decision.”
Many sporting events have suffered outright cancellation and postponement due to the dreaded Covid-19.
The annual marathon which is organised by Fairplay Sports International and its partners is in its third edition.
The second edition of the race was won by Emmanuel Gyang and Deborah Pam Gyang in male and female categories who took home the N1m prize money respectively.
