Six Athletes from Okpekpe Win N8m in Prizes

Six athletes from Okpekpe have shared N8m in prize money from this year’s Okpekpe International 10km Road Race. Organisers say this shows the event is benefiting the local community, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

The prize money was sent directly to the athletes' bank accounts last week. This payment came from a special fund set up just for athletes from Okpekpe. The aim is to make sure the community benefits from the race and to encourage young people to take up athletics.

James Raphael and Jessica Matthew won the men’s and women’s titles, earning N1.5m each. Innocent Odamah and Loveth Joseph, who finished second in the men’s and women’s categories, got N1.3m each. Abuke Nathaniel and Bose Etsekumhe, who came third, received N1.2m each.

This is the first time all six athletes have won over N1m in prize money from athletics.

The community prize fund was supported by businessman Idris Umar, who is the Chairman of Dan Oil, and Abubakar Momoh, Nigeria’s Minister of Niger Delta Development. They worked together with race promoter Mike Itemuagbor.

Omokhagbor Sixtus, a notable figure from Okpekpe and involved with the race since it started in 2013, said the rewards mean more than just money.

"We sincerely appreciate Mike Itemuagbor, Idris Umar and Hon. Abubakar Momoh for this great initiative and for creating an opportunity that has lifted six Okpekpe athletes to millionaire status," he said. "This is not just a victory for the athletes but a moment of pride for the entire Okpekpe community."

Itemuagbor added that the initiative shows what the race stands for.

"The Okpekpe Road Race has always been about more than elite competition. From the beginning, our vision has been to use sport as a tool for development by creating opportunities for our people and ensuring that the host community benefits directly from the global recognition the race has attracted," he said.