Omoyele Sowore, the owner of Sahara Reporters and former Presidential Candidate under the Africa Action Congress (AAC) has expressed his deep disappointment after the president-elect, Tinubu, and the minister of federal capital territory (FCT), Mohammed Bello were both noticeably absent from the 2023 Abuja Marathon
Sowore, who was one of the participants in the race, spoke to journalists after the event, expressing his disappointment that two of the most important players in the political and administrative landscapes of Nigeria did not see fit to participate in an event that he believes could have been used as a platform to promote the importance of sports and generate employment for the nation.
The rights activist, in his remarks, emphasized that sports units like marathons were not just a recreational exercise, but also a means to help curb youth restiveness and social vices in the country.
According to him, the marked absence of both Tinubu was a sign that he did not appreciate the value that sports could bring to Nigeria as a whole.
He said: “This is the first Abuja marathon, I participated and I ran longer than I expected. I expected that the Minister of FCT would be here.
“Was even expecting Tinubu to be here, but apparently, I am the only presidential candidate standing after the election.
“I ran with kids, great kids. I am of the opinion that we are wasting a lot of talents in this country.”
Sowore also expressed his support for the growth of sports and entertainment in the country, highlighting that these sectors had the potential to create a lot of job opportunities for young people who are currently lacking avenues to gain employment.
He urged the government to demonstrate its commitment towards this goal by supporting events like the Abuja Marathon and other sporting events around the country.
Additionally, Sowore pointed out that the 2023 Abuja Marathon featured participants from across the country and even beyond, demonstrating that the event had a significant impact beyond the capital city.
Therefore, it was a missed opportunity for both Tinubu and Bello to show their support and recognition of this potential.
Finally, Sowore called on Nigerian leaders to show more interest and support for sporting events in the country, emphasizing that doing so would not only generate employment but also foster a sense of national unity and pride.
The 2023 Abuja Marathon, he said, was just one example of how this potential could be harnessed for the betterment of the country.
