Organisers of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) silver label Okpekpe International 10km Road Race have unveiled the low sugar malt drink, Amstel Malta as the official malt drink of the seventh edition of the race which comes up on May 25 in Okpekpe near Auchi, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Zak Amodu, Director of Organisation of the race told the media in Lagos Wednesday that Amstel Malta, brewed by Nigerian Breweries Plc, the pioneer and largest brewing company in Nigeria will be the official malt drink for the first IAAF Label road race in West Africa and the only silver label road race in Africa in 2019.
‘We are delighted with the coming on board of the Nigerian Breweries as a friend and strategic partner of the race. Nigerian Breweries and Okpekpe race have a lot in common. It is the pioneer and biggest brewing company in Nigeria while one of its products, Amstel Malta is a premium malt drink with rich international heritage. Okpekpe Race is also the first IAAF race to be granted a label race in Nigeria nay West Africa which means the race is the first road race in Nigeria and West Africa to be granted international recognition,” said Amodu who explained that IAAF road race label events are races that the world governing body for the sport designates as one of the leading road races around the world.
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“What an IAAF Label denotes are high standards in event organisation and full application of the IAAF competition rules,” said Amodu who also revealed that the Okpekpe road race is the first in Nigeria to have its race course measured by an IAAF and Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) accredited course measurer.
The race is also the first and so far only road race in Nigeria recognised by AIMS, a member-based organization of more than 460 of the world’s leading distance races, from over 130 countries and territories.
Meanwhile, Dr Akin Amao has been re-appointed as the chief doping officer for the historic road running event.
Next weekend’s race will be transmitted live across all the African continent by Supersport.
