Marathon Runners Finally Receive Cash Prizes As NGO Slams Organisers, Apologises To Deji Aliu

Runners who participated in two major marathon events in Nigeria have started receiving their much-awaited cash prizes after an extended delay that raised significant concerns among stakeholders in the athletics community.

The Athletics and Other Sports Development Initiative (AOSDI) confirmed that payments had commenced from NILAYO Sports Marketing, the company responsible for organising the events.

Athletes from the Premium Trust Bank Marathon in Abuja and the LOTUS Marathon in Abeokuta have begun to receive their payments, bringing relief to many who have awaited compensation for their performances. In a press statement issued on Sunday, the AOSDI stated, “It has become ungodly for the organisers to wait for a third party to intervene before athletes and other participants could receive their hard-earned cash prizes.”

The NGO, which is dedicated to advocating for athletes, expressed gratitude towards NILAYO Sports Marketing for fulfilling some of its payment obligations. However, it highlighted that payments are still outstanding for participants in the Access Bank Marathon in Lagos, where the 41-kilometre runners are yet to receive their prizes. The AOSDI critiqued the practice of major sponsors failing to meet their commitments, saying, “Is it not ludicrous how big brands could sponsor and organise competitions and won’t honour their commitment to invited runners?”

AOSDI, in a statement signed by it’s chairman of Board of Trustees, Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe, who also double as chairman of Gombe Athletics Association, however insisted that NILAYO has 14 days to settle all outstanding debts to athletes, as the NGO continues to monitor other sponsors and organisers across Nigeria’s sporting landscape.

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Additionally, the NGO addressed the ongoing dispute involving The Making of Champions (MoC), which is reportedly considering legal action over its failure to pay athletes’ subsidies for logistics, feeding and transportation during the 2024 Jos MTN Championships. The AOSDI declared that if the matter proceeds to court, it would provide an opportunity for MTN to disclose the amounts paid for the event and the subsidies owed to athletes.

In a forthright remark, the NGO highlighted the inadequacies athletes faced during the MTN Championships, where they were served only lunch and water over the course of six days. “Can you treat your own child like this?” it stated, condemning the insufficient provisions made for the young competitors.

Furthermore, the AOSDI apologised to MoC’s head coach, Deji Aliu, for mistakenly mentioning his name in relation to a phone contact error that was unrelated to his responsibilities. “We sincerely apologise,” the statement read.

While the NGO emphasised the importance of timely payments for athletes who dedicate their efforts to sports, it assured stakeholders that its investigative efforts would continue regarding other sports organisations and any failures to meet payment commitments.

The statement concluded with a call for all sponsors and organisers to uphold their responsibilities and support the athletes who contribute significantly to the sporting culture in Nigeria.