Nigerians have protested over the dominance of Kenyans in winning marathons in Nigeria.
Former Nigeria national football team Green Eagles winger, Adegoke Adelabu, is worried over the growing number of marathon races in the country which have not been beneficial to Nigerians but runners from East Africa who come win the races and pocket the prize monies as the locals are left penniless.
“Marathon races are not Nigeria’s area of strength, and I feel those organising it in our country is only providing the funds for the Kenyans, Ethiopians and Ugandans to reap big and enriching themselves from us by taking the winnings which they go to develop their respective countries,” he said.
The Cable Sports Academy director Edwin Onovwotafe said the country should be keen on developing sprints (100m, 200m, the jumps and relays) areas in which Nigeria is strong.
Onovwotafe wondered why the government and the corporate world were embracing marathons in the country instead of promoting sprints in an area that Nigeria has produced world beaters.
Popular Nigerian pastor, Apostle Johnson Suleman has questioned why Kenyans make such great runners that have dominated marathons for decades.
His fascinating question came after Kenyan long-distance runner David Barmasai Tumo won the 2020 edition of the 42-kilometre Lagos marathon in a course record time of 2 hours, 10 minutes and 23 seconds.
“What’s with Kenyans always coming 1st in Marathon race?..is it stamina or capacity for long-suffering?…dont dare a long distance race with an athletic Kenyan or you will only come 1st from behind…kudos to Kenyans on the victory at the Lagos Marathon. God bless you,” he tweeted after Tumo’s win.
Barmasai,31, pocketed Sh 5 million with the second placed Debeke Dakamo from Ethiopia and Kenya’s Paul Waweru in third place taking home $40,000 and $30,000 respectively where the top 10 list had seven Kenyans and three Ethiopians.
Cherop’s was followed in second by Ethiopia’s Kebene Chala Urisa as compatriot Rodah Jepkorir Tanui completed a 1-3 Kenyan podium finish.
Following the wins, Nigerian Twitter users rushed to the social site with hilarious reactions, some even demanding that Kenyans don’t be invited in subsequent editions of the marathons.
Here are some of the tweets;
If Nigerians are starting the marathon from Lagos, the participating Kenyans should be starting from Ibadan. Let the race be even
— Anda (@LazyWrita)
Next marathon i think kenyans should have their own category.maybe (lagos marathon senior boys)
Even if the marathon starts from kenya to lagos and Nigerians are already in sagamu Kenyans will still win,dose people are brn 2 run
— Baba KABIRU (@heedrhez)
Next edition of the Lagos marathon race ehn… All participating Kenyans should be made to start from Sagamu. — feeling sarcastic
-David Oghi @davsong01
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