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Nigeria’s High Altitude Athletics Club of Jos and a strong contingent from Ghana are set for a showdown at the 2025 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon scheduled for Saturday, March 1, as both teams have finalised preparations for the regional competition, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Jos-based club has deployed over 30 elite runners to the Federal Capital Territory for the race, with coach Stephen Nuhu expressing confidence in his team’s ability to dominate the half marathon and 5km family race categories.
“We have some very good young runners who have what it takes to win the 5km, our challenge is the 21km race. We are determined to beat the teams from other ECOWAS nations, especially Ghana, Senegal and others who we are reliably informed are sending a strong team,” Nuhu told our correspondent.
Among the club’s representatives for the half marathon include established runners Sati Musa Bala, Mathias Nenfort Gofwen, Mandela Banki, Geofrey Koptin Gomam, John Dauda, Elisha Friday, Shaba Dare Eniola, Yohanna Friday, Gwet Tokbe Christopher, Shambor Blessing Solomon, Agofure Charity, Akusho Lydia Thomas, Danjuma Agnes, and Mathew Nancy.
Meanwhile, the Ghanaian Athletics Association, in collaboration with the Ghana Army, has announced their intention to storm Abuja with 20 men and women runners, with the sole aim of claiming top prizes in both men’s and women’s categories.
The growing rivalry between Nigerian and Ghanaian athletes at regional competitions adds an extra dimension to Saturday’s race, with both nations’ representatives expressing determination to outperform each other.
Nuhu commended the ECOWAS Commission for increasing the prize money and ensuring prompt payment to winners, a development he believes will motivate athletes to give their best.
“When it comes to prompt payment of prize money, ECOWAS Commission is number one, they will never tell you stories, you get your money once technical officials have certified you as the winner,” the Jos club manager added.
Race Director Gabriel Okon has urged registered participants to collect their running numbers, vests, certificates, and participants’ guides at the VIO Office, Federal Secretariat Car Park, Eagles Square, Abuja, ahead of the race day.
“We are there from 9am to 5pm daily, registered runners and those that intend to register are welcome, they can fill out the form free and collect their kits immediately,” Okon said.
