By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has promised to flag off the second edition of Onitsha City Marathon (OCM) scheduled to take place in the commercial city on September 25, 2021.

Obasanjo made the declaration when members of the Mararthon Local Organising Comimittee, LOC led by Prof Olusegun Sogbesun visited him at the Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) pent house in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

He described exercise is an act good for the body and soul, saying that it has been part of his own daily routine.

The elder statesman, who accepted the role of Grand Patron of Onitsha City Marathon, said, “I will support any group and citizens who take special interest in the physical fitness of the citizenry, particularly the youths.”

The Onitsha City Marathon which debuted on October 5, 2019, as the first international marathon, East of the Niger is the brainchild of Onitsha Business School.

According to the organisers, OCM was initiated to discover and harness the abundant sporting talents of the teeming youths of Onitsha metropolis and environs.

It is also geared towards revolutionising sports as a socio-economic development tool.

In his speech, Prof Sogbesun said that the 2021 edition will come with a lot of goodies, to improve on maiden edition.

He added: “Some biard games like Scrabble, Chess, Ayo and Checker for schools, as well as a Criterium (Bicycle Race) would be included

“We are also likely to have a 10-kilometre race and the VIP race to spice up the week.”