The much-talked about 2022 “Great Sagamu Run” organized by the Sagamu Sport Samaritans, which was held yesterday, Saturday, August 6th, 2022. The 15.2km distance race started at the front of Akarigbo Palace Arcade, and went all the way to Remo Secondary School (RSS) Roundabout, to the turning point at Remo Divisional High School U-turn, along the Akarigbo Road – up to the finishing point at Akarigbo Palace Arcade, Sagamu.
Remo Secondary School (RSS), Sagamu, student; Sesan Oluwole with race tag number 101, finished the race with a winning time of 43:48, to emerged as the winner in the male category, while Blessing Uduak Sunday with a race tag number 020, a student of Mayflower School, Ikenne, finished the race with a winning time of 49:40 to claimed the winner of the female category.
In the male category, Israel Odi, student of Mayflower School, Ikenne, with number 075, finished the race with 45:01, and Gbenga Adekoya with number 001, student of Methodist Comprehensive College (MCC), Sagamu, finished the race with 46:20, emerged the Second and Third position, respectively.
Also in the female category, Aganya Victory, student of Mayflower School, Ikenne, with number 019, finished the race with 50:54, while Orebayo Oreoluwa with number 026, student of Methodist Comprehensive College (MCC), Sagamu, finished the race with 56:11, claimed the Second and Third position, respectively.
According to the organisers, the race was open to all Secondary School Students in Remo Land (Sagamu, Ikenne and Remo North), has over 150 applicants but over 60 participants took part in the Saturday’s race. “Other absentee was not disqualify, but the reason why they didn’t participates in the race was perfectly known to them”, the organisers said.
GENESIS MEDIA HOUSE reports that the high point of the event was the duo of a Five-year-old girl Doris Odeyemi and a 7 year old boy Qudus Makinde, that stole the show at the event as the duo braved the odds to finish the race distance of 15.2km race. The two young runners completed the race to prove their doubters wrong about their resilience.
UK based Sagamu indigene Rotr. Adetokunbo Soluade popularly known as Sir Toks, Remo Youth Association (RYA) Chairman Comr. Agbolade Yaya Onagbesan, Sport Director Comr. Olusola Adetayo, Association Of Sabo Sagamu Youth Leaders (ASYL) President Comr. Bashiru Olusola Aina, among others, were part of the dignitaries at the Saturday’s exciting race, which was also laced with some form of entertainments.
Commendation:
Nigerian athletes and Coach, Wale Akainsanya, lauded the giant strides the race has made since its inception. He said: “I want to give kudos to the Sagamu Sport Samaritans and the other sponsors for the good work they are doing to sustain the event. After several editions, the race was given a bronze label, so we should appreciate them for this.
On his part, the RYA Chairman Comr. Onagbesan reiterated. “It’s a privilege for me to have been a part of ‘The Great Sagamu Runʼ 2022 edition.
“I want to say well done and God blessings to the Sagamu Sport Samaritans, our Sagamu born diaspora uncle and chief sponsor Rotr. Toks Soluade, and to other co-supporters; Rotary Club Of Sagamu Metropolitan, Bright Approach Club, Remo Gooners, Remo Youth Association -RYA, Association Of Sabo Sagamu Youth Leaders (ASYL), Rotr. Adedapo Ogunnoiki, Coach Wale Akainsanya, Coach Olamide Ogungbe, the Vigilante Group Of Nigeria – Sagamu Branch, and other noble dignitaries that was present. Your patience and incremental investment have not gone unnoticed. The strides being made by the race is a total buy-in for all the participants and the entire Remo Land, and we will do everything to ensure it continues,” he added.
Speaking at the event, the Remo Youth Sport Director Comr. Olusola Adetayo applauded the organisers of the event for bringing the race to Remo Community’s, described sport as a unifying factor, as he vowed that he will surely be in total support of a brand to uplift Remo Land through sporting events.
“We thank the Sagamu Sport Samaritans for bringing this gorgeous race and we also appreciate the sponsors and other co-supporter for endorsing and supporting this race in so many ways. We will do everything possible to make the event always successful”, ASYL President Comr. Aina said.
Rotr. Tokunbo Soluade, a.k.a Toks, who was also part of the sponsors said he was happy to return home from UK in order to participate in this “world-class race.” He also give kudos to the participants, organisers, and entire people of Remo Land for their unflinching support towards the success of this race.
Toks also noted that Sagamu, and Remo Land as a whole is naturally blessed with talents. “We were naturally gifted and we just need to make sure the talents here are well-coordinated.
He said: “It’s a fantastic race, we were around to witness the event. This is great for Sagamu, Ikenne, Remo North and I must say congratulations to Ogun State as a whole. It is very good to organize such an event, they have done a fantastic job and looking forward to being here in the nearest race events.
“It is on this note that I will urge all participants and the entire youths of this noble Remo Land to desist from all forms of social negativity vices, to tap from the resilient selfless spirit of Oluwatobiloba Amusan, and make the community great again and regain its pride of place in the comity of states. Emulate Amusan doggedness and her bravery towards achieving great and better results not only for herself, but also for her family and this nation as a whole”, Toks added.