By BENSON EZUGWU

Francis James of Plateau emerged winner of the maiden edition of Zenith Bank Coal City Half Marathon on Saturday in Enugu.

James returned in a time of 1:12mins: 2 secs. To win the N1 millionprize money.

Ismael Sajo of Cross River came second in a time of 1: 13 mins: 51secs and Nenfort Mathias of Plateau came third in a time of 1: 43 mins:5secs.

Also Patience Dalyop of Plateau clocked 1: 25mins: 51secs to win the female category, while Agbofure Charity of Delta came second in a time of 1: 26mins: Munifikat Emmanuel of Plateau came third.

The second and third place winners received the sum of N500,000 and N300,000respectively.

Speaking, Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State said his administration was ready to improve on the successes recorded at the marathon.

I assure you that by 2025, we will upgrade it to international standard, he said.

Mbah said the state was ready to host the best athletes in Nigeria, adding that his administration would encourage all forms of sporting activities.

He commended the management of Zenith Bank for pertnering withstate in sports development.

The Zonal Head, Zenith Bank Enugu Njideks Aroh commended Mbah for the infrastructural development of Enugu State.

She said that the bank was ready to partner with the state government on sports development.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Lloyd Ekweremadu, thanked Zenith Bank for the partnership.

She announced a N100,000 reward foreach oftheState athletes who participated at the event.

Ekweremadu said that the gesture is aimed encouraging more participation of indigenes of Enugu state in future competitions. (NAN)