Maduako Igbokwe I Saturday, June 24, 2023
AWKA, Anambra, Nigeria – A veteran Olympian, Mary Onyali on Saturday led some members of the sporting family to celebrate the Olympic-Day-Run in Awka, the Anambra capital.
The Roadshow which took off at the popular Aromma junction and terminated at the Alex Ekwueme Square. The roadshow also had Chairman of Anambra State Sports Development Commission Patrick-Estate Onyedum and members of his staff on parade.
Speaking after the road work and some aerobic displays, Onyali said the day was a special one for Olympics, Olympians and the founder of the Olympics.
The veteran sprinter said the message was that the Olympic spirit was genuine, peaceful and people do not need to win a medal to be an Olympian.
She said the Olympic-Day-Run which coincides with the closing ceremony of the Anambra School Sports Festival was an indication that the state was in tune with the rest of the world while expressing hope that new Olympians will be born in the state.
According to her, all of us are Olympians, whether you participated or not, it is also a day to tell the world to work on their body for the sake of their health because health is wealth.
“The return of Anambra School Sports Festival shows we are getting it right again, and that the festival is ending on the day we are having the Olympic-Day-Run means Anambra is in tune with the rest of the world,
Anambra has always been ahead in sports, we have so many world champions coming from here, I hope more Olympians will be born in Anambra, myself, Uchenna Emedolu and others have laid the foundation, I plead that the governor continues to support the sector,” she said.
On his impact, Onyedum said Anambra was happy to join the rest of the world to celebrate the Olympic movement.
Onyedum is member of the Nigeria Olympic Committee Sports and Environment Commission said vision of the Governor Charles Soludo administration was to give every talented child the opportunity to rise to the world stage by providing the necessary environment.
He said the School Sports Festival which rounds off today after five weeks of intense competition was one of such platforms, noting that a good number of the students had shown great promise.
“Olympics is about peace, it is about love, it is about unity and Anambra is glad to be part of this celebration.
“I want to thank the governor for supporting sports, this year’s edition of the festival which he brought back after more than 10 years is ending on a day we are celebrating Olympic spirit, so the message is clear; Anambra people are Olympians,” he said.
In a message, International Olympic Committee said the Piarre de Coubertin found the Olympic out of the desire to make the world a better place.
The message which was delivered by Patrick Ibeh, member of NOC Sports for All Commission said it kept body and mind healthy and strong.
According to him, when we do sports, it inspires us to always give it our best, makes us dream, spreads joy and brings us together,” he said.
