Coal City International Half Marathon: AFN officials inspect routes

Officials of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria led by the Technical Director, Sunday Adeleye on Monday inspected routes for the first Coal City International Half Marathon in Enugu State.
Briefing newsmen after the inspection, Adeleye said that they were impressed with the level of readiness as well as the form of the routes mapped out for the race.
He said that the overall management of the event was encouraging, adding that what was left was for the AFN to give its nod for the hosting of the event.
He said: “The routes are one of the craftiest I have seen in this clime and we are pleased with it. We are equally impressed with the overall management of the event and we shall report back to the federation for the necessary approval.”
Adeleye said that though the event would feature athletes from other African countries “but we have to put into consideration our indigenous athletes”.
He said: “Let there be concessions for our local athletes that are participating in the event.”
Also, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Joseph Udedi, said that no fewer than 1,500 athletes had so far registered for the race which would cover a distance of 21kms.
Udedi said that the half marathon slated for Nov. 24 would feature athletes from Cameroon, Ethiopia and Kenya.
He said that participation was free “but participants must be healthy. We have engaged a hospital that will check participants to ensure they are in good health condition”.
He said: “We have so far registered about 1,500 athletes including those from Cameroon, Ethiopia and Kenya.”
The commissioner said that the organisers had made adequate arrangement for the control of traffic in liaison with the State Ministry of Transport.
He added: “We believe that the AFN will approve the routes after the inspection.”
Udedi said that a total of 20 male and female prizes respectively would be up for grabs including 3,500 US dollars prize for the first position and lots of consolation prizes.