Okpekpe Race Cancelled Due To Coronavirus

Okpekpe Race Cancelled Due To Coronavirus

By Sampson Adedeji

Corona virus pandemic has succeeded in getting rid of another major sporting competition as organiser of one of the best Africa race, Okpekpe announced cancellation.

Formula 1, Wimbledon Open and many more events have been cancelled due to the outbreak of Coronavirus around the world, BSN Reports.

Mike Itemuagbor, promoter of the race, announced the cancellation and at the same time regretted the actions.

"We know this will disappoint many runners who have trained towards the event and tourists who have always chosen the time of the race to escape the hustle and bustle of many Nigerian cities to unwind in a serene, hilly countryside that the Okpekpe community and adjoining towns represent.

“Regrettably, with ongoing developments in Nigeria and around the world where COVID-19 has ravaged so many countries, we no longer consider it safe nor responsible to go ahead with the historic event.

"We sincerely hope that our runners will want to support us once this is all over and return to run in Okpekpe next year.

"We also hope our sponsors and partners will understand we are left with no choice but to cancel the race this year.

"We believe the well being of athletes, officials and spectators, especially the good people of Okpekpe community is more important than the race itself,” Itemuagbor told the Nation.

Before the cancellation the race was slated for Saturday, May 23, 2020 in Okpekpe, a hilly town near Auchi, Etsako East local government area of Edo state.