The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has lauded the Ogun Women Run as a transformative platform for empowering women in sports. Speaking at the flag-off of the race on Saturday in Abeokuta, Hon. Olopade underscored the event’s potential to identify and nurture female talents who could shine on national and global stages.
“Icons like Mary Onyali and Falilat Ogunkoya prove the depth of talent we have in this nation,” Olopade remarked. “With initiatives like the Ogun Women Run, we can pave the way for more women to reach the pinnacle of sports.”
The 5-kilometer race, open to women aged 25 to 60, began at Sapon and concluded at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Kuto. Beyond being a race, Olopade described the event as a movement—a commitment to ensuring that no woman is left behind in achieving greatness in sports.
Winners and Rewards
- Aderonke Alabi clinched the top spot, earning a ₦500,000 cash prize.
- Affigbo Esther secured second place with ₦300,000, while
- Olude Kehinde finished third, receiving ₦200,000.
In addition to the main prizes, Hon. Olopade showed his generosity by awarding cash bonuses in dollars to outstanding athletes. Meanwhile, Chief Solomon Ogba, former President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), donated ₦1 million to further encourage and support the athletes.
Continued Advocacy for Women in Sports
The DG praised Brussel Sports Management Limited, organizers of the race, for their dedication to empowering women through sports. He reiterated the NSC’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for female athletes to thrive.
“This event shows the uniting power of sports and its role in fostering empowerment. With platforms like this, we can inspire more women to represent Nigeria with pride on the world stage,” Olopade emphasized.
As the Ogun Women’s Run continues to grow, it highlights Nigeria’s untapped potential in women’s sports and underscores the importance of sustained investment in female athletes.
