The Lagos City Marathon – A Participant’s personal experience.

The marathon is a long-distance running event with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres (26.2 miles), it is usually run as a road race. The event was instituted in commemoration of the fabled run of the Greek soldier Pheidippides, a messenger from the Battle of Marathon to Athens. Many runners in Lagos were excited when we heard that Lagos will be hosting a marathon event. The opportunity offers many runners an avenue to test themselves with the ultimate running experience.
The time the announcement was made to the time of the event was short. Preparation for a marathon race takes about 6 months.
Myself as well as many other runners quickly registered. We assumed that the race will be well organized because it is being sponsored by a major financial institution in Nigeria.
When I went to collect running my kit & bib, I started sensing that all may not be well. After verification, & registration, I was given a bib showing my race number. I also noticed with pleasure that the bib has an electronic tag. This device is meant to track the split time between distances along the race track, I moved onward to the collection point, a man toss a bag to me, I quickly informed him that I will need an extra large vest, he smiled and said it is one size fits all, that the vests are expandable. When I brought out the vest, the quality was very poor and my instinct started telling me that this race may not live up to expectation.
On race day, I got ready quickly, I had heard on the news that the roads will be blocked around 6.30am. I joined my 2 other friends that are also participating to the stadium. We trekked from Costain roundabout to statdium because the road had been closed. 
By 7.12am the race started. The weather was a little bit cool. Spectators were cheering us as we go. From stadium to Ojuelegba to Anthony, at around 3km, we saw the first casualty been lifted into the ambulance. I said to myself “no be small thing o” many participants were not regular runners. The shoes some people wore were not running shoes. Considering the hot and humid weather, some people were over dressed. Some believed they can win the prize money. Knowing Nigerians for who we are, I believe some may have gone to their place of worship to pray for success in the race. $50,000 in this tough economic dispensation would definitely go a long way.
The organizers had promised that at 5km intervals, there will be water, energy drink, sponging spots  and probably toilet. The disappointed came when I, as well as many runners got to where we were meant to refresh with water and energy drink and found nothing. Alas !, all the drinks were gone. Many runners started experiencing dehydration after 6 – 10km. When we enquire from the volunteers at the water stations, they just waved us on as if we were speaking a foreign language. For the rest of the race, I never got any form of support in terms of drinks or water to sponge myself. The temperature was getting high. The temperature was around 34 degrees centigrade.
Thankfully, I had a running pouch with 2 water bottles, I had filled it up with energy drink. I also had three hundred and fifty naira (N350) in my pouch. That turned out to be my saving grace.  At Oworonshoki, as we approach the 3rd mainland bridge, some spectators brought out 2 bags of pure water, myself and other marathoners rushed to grab the pure water sachet as if our lives depended on it, we drank some, poured some over our bodies and kept on with the race.
While we were on 3rd mainland bridge, many participants started retiring from the race, I suspected fatigue and dehydration have set in, many BRT buses, filled to capacity passed by, conveying participants.
At Adeniji area, we were lucky to find a woman selling cold pure water, I bought 5 for N50, I took two and gave 3 to other marathoners. We needed to urinate at that time, we had to do it near the edge of the bridge. There was no toilet facility throughout the race course.
We continue to endure the race, at Osborne just before the traffic light, a gardener selling plants was wetting his flowers, we begged him to shower us with his hose. He gladly did and we thanked him profusely. The lowest point for me is when I saw a young marathoner picked up a leftover energy drink from the road and drank it. I felt so depressed. That was desperation and survival.
At the Ikoyi registry & Lekki – Ikoyi  link bridge some good Samaritans gave us pure water & bottle water respectively. We thanked them and moved on. All these while, I was running and walking intermittently so that I can finish the race within 5 hours 45 minutes which was my previous personal best at the last marathon I ran in Chicago 2013. The scorching sun with no fluids to replenish made me slow down drastically. From 37km to 41km, I trekked at a pace of 11 minutes 30 seconds per kilometer.  I started running as I entered the Atlantic city. I am happy I completed the race but so sad that I have been let down by the organizers of the race. At the finish point, there were no more medals for people like us that finished the race after 5 hours. I finished my own race after 6 hours 13 minutes. There was no water nor energy drink or food. Instead, we were lining up for medals which had been given out to participants that did not finish the race but boarded the board to the finish line. After taking pictures with my friends, I was eventually able to get a blank certificate. There was nothing to recognize my position or the time I finished the race. I now wonder what benefit is the tag on my bib for?  
As I leave the venue, runners that came after 2.12pm which is after the official cut off time were treated shabbily, there were not allowed to pass through the gate of EKO Atlantic. They were pushed and shoved by the security personnel at the gate. This, in my own opinion summarized in totality, the underlining factor which I call the Nigerian factor, we do not have respect for ourselves. We do not treat each other with dignity. This lack of respect & dignity has eaten into the fabric of all our institutions.
The experience taught me once again that I cannot rely on organizations, whether private or public to deliver a world class event. The organizers registered 36,500 participants and probably 20,000 runners started the marathon but catered for only 1,000. My running pace was about 7 minutes 20 seconds many runners before& after me did not get any water & energy drinks neither was there any sponging area to cool the body temperature down.  We were simply left to our fate and for many people that did not have money on them; they suffered through the race and were left to the kindness of proactive spectators that provided pure water while many simply retired.
I had voiced my concern that since the event is free it may not be properly organized. Many people said but they have a big sponsor, it is pertinent to note that despite having big sponsors, Chicago & Dubai Marathons participants still pay $175 & $125 respectively in order to register.
I will implore the organizers to plan future events carefully & properly and pay special attention to the following areas;
1. Weather – the event should be held when temperature in Lagos is coolest (for instance temperature on Saturday, 23rd January was cooler than on the 6th of February)
2. Cooling / refreshment stations – There should be adequate drinks (water & energy drink) as well as sponges (for cooling) for all the participants not just few. 
3. There should be toilets for participants that need to ease themselves.
4. The integrity of the marathon race track should be protected throughout in order to ensure every participants starts at the same time and are not able to join the race at any other point. 
5. The participants that could not finish the race and joined the bus should not have been taken to the finish line because medals & certificates should only be for finishers. They should have been taken to another area where they can get refreshment and go home.
6. There should be more ambulances to attend to the participants that require medical help. There should be more buses to convey runners that could not finish the race.
7. Participants should pay a registration fee in order to improve the quality of event.
8. The organizers should organize training workshops for aspiring participants and also inform aspiring runners that marathon should be prepared for appropriately. Many runners that have never run more than 5km showed up for 42km. what do you expect?
9. There should be an official result of the event of all participants that finished the race showing their position and time.
Many people have made their concerns known to the organizers through various media. I seriously hope that the organizers will take note of my sincere critic of the Lagos city Marathon 2016. Organizing this marathon is a right step in the right direction because it can attract tourists and thereby generate revenue for the state & country but the way it was organized and implemented on Saturday, the 6th of February, 2016, left much to be desired.
The organizers owe the public this duty of care.
Thank you.
Olawale Olabintan
Lagos City Marathoner – Bib number 1598

Yaya Toure's agent believes Pep Guardiola is overrated.

Ivorian football star, Yaya Toure’s agent, Dimitri Seluk is concerned about his client’s future at his present club if Bayern Munich boss, takes over from Manuel Pellegrini at the end of the season. Guardiola sold Yaya Toure during his spell at Barcelona and he’s worried the same scenario might unfold again in England. Seluk maintained that managing both Barcelona and Bayern Munich hasn’t been an uphill battle for the Spaniard, he has however challenged him to prove his coaching ability with a ‘smaller’ team, probably one at the 8th or 9th wrung of the EPL ladder and make them Champions.

Few days ago, the former Barcelona boss confirmed his intention to manage the premier League but has left us guessing the destination his managerial bus is heading to. Top 4 guesses in the football world include Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City.

Dimitri Seluk told the Sunday Mirror: “Pep is a great coach But he has won the title at Barcelona and Bayern Munich. The truth is that my grandfather would win the title with Barcelona and Bayern Munich because they are big clubs with great players. I’d like to see Pep take a club that is eighth or ninth and make them champions.”
He added. “I don’t know what Guardiola’s plans are, but – after what happened at Barcelona – of course it is a worry that when he comes Yaya will be out. I hope not and Yaya hopes not.”

Zinedine Zidane addresses Ronaldo's exit rumours

Real Madrid Transfer News: Zinedine Zidane Talks Cristiano Ronaldo Exit RumoursReal Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has denied the possibility of Cristiano Ronaldo leaving the Bernabeu, describing him as the soul of the team. The ex France international made this clear during a chat with Spanish media outlet, AS ahead of the Blancos’s game with Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday.


Asked about Ronaldo and PSG, the Frenchman noted: Cristiano is more than non-transferable. He is the soul of the team. He’s going nowhere.” AS English tweeted.

FIFA Presidency: Michel Platini withdraws bid.

Suspended UEFA boss, Michel Platini has given up his bid to become the next FIFA President.
“I will not present myself for the presidency of FIFA. I am withdrawing my candidature. I no longer have the time nor the means to go to the voters, to meet people, to fight against the other candidates. In withdrawing, I am dedicating myself to my defence”  He told the Association Press yesterday
Platini and Sepp Blatter were suspended from all football-related activities following an ethics committee investigation. They were found guilty of breaches surrounding a £1.3m ($2m) “disloyal payment” made to Platini in 2011.
The 60-year-old added that his ban has made it impossible for him to campaign for votes.
“It is a question of the calendar, but not only that. How can you win an election when you are prevented from campaigning?”
The remaining contenders are Asian football head Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa of Bahrain, South African politician and tycoon Tokyo Sexwale, former FIFA vice president Prince Ali bin al Hussein of Jordan, UEFA general-secretary Gianni Infantino and Jerome Champagne , a former FIFA assistant general secretary from France. The new FIFA president will be revealed on February 26. 

It's time for Ronaldo to know Zinedine is the boss – ex Real Madrid manager

Former Real Madrid boss, Vanderlei Luxemburgo is confident Zidane Zinedine will do well at the Santiago Bernabeu but warns that Cristiano Ronaldo shouldn’t prove obstructive to his success at the club.
He told Omnisport: “Zidane was a leader in the dressing room when he was a player, so Cristiano Ronaldo will have to understand that there will be a person with leadership and with great knowledge of football there. The dressing room belongs to the players up to a certain point. From then on it belongs to the coach. If Cristiano Ronaldo thinks he’s the coach it’s difficult. He has to understand he’s a player and not a coach. The coach is Zidane.

He continued, “If you can make those things clear it doesn’t matter if it’s Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi. Barcelona is giving a good example that Messi is just a player. He was a player with [Pep] Guardiola and is still a player with Luis Enrique. He’s a star but is still a player. That’s his limit.”

Luxemburgo who coached the club for 11 months in 2005 also added that Madrid president Florentino Perry should be allowed to preside over the affairs of the dressing room.
If it was another president things would probably not have gone this wrong. Luis Enrique was questioned when he left Neymar on the bench. But he left him on the bench to adapt. At Real Madrid, if the coach leaves Ronaldo on the bench, Florentino Perez goes crazy.
“There’s a big difference between Real Madrid and Barcelona in that respect. The head coach at Barcelona is in charge. At Madrid, it’s not like that with Perez.”

Suarez faces action over tunnel bust-up

Awww, to think that we were celebrating him turning a new leaf in Spain. Barcelona star, Luis Suarez may find himself in a little trouble following his bust-up with Espanyol players after a 4-1 Copa del Rey victory at the Nou Camp last night.

The visitors received 8 yellow cards, 2 red cards in the match. One of the players, Pape Diop was dismissed for insulting Suarez’s mum. Apparently still angry about the incident, after the game, the Uruguayan reportedly waited for their opponents at the tunnel and shouted. “I’m waiting for you, come here, you’re a waste of space”.

Below is a post-match report by referee report by Martinez Munuera.

“At the end of the game, once in the tunnel, Barça’s No.9, Suarez, Luis, while the Espanyol players were coming up the stairs, waited for them and shouted at them on various occasions. He said: ‘I’m waiting for you, come here! You’re a waste of space. It provoked a confrontation between players of both clubs and the present security guards had to get involved, as did coaches of both teams.”

Madrid insane to appoint Zinedine Zidane – Hitzfeld

Madrid mad to appoint Zidane, says Hitzfeld

Former Bayern Munich coach, Ottmar Hitzfeld has described Real Madrid’s decision to appoint Zinedine Zidane as the club’s new manager as madness. Speaking in an interview with Swiss daily, Blick, Hitzfeld said the ex France international is only living off his illustrious name as a player.

“For him (Zidane) it is like winning the lottery jackpot. It is madness. Zidane has proved nothing as a coach and he is now in charge of the biggest stars in the world. It is an incredibly difficult task although I hope it goes well for him,” the 66 year-old said.

Top 10 most valuable players in the world

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The CIES Football Observatory has unveiled it’s
list of the most valuable players in the world. Criteria included the
performances of the players and their clubs, as well as characteristics, like
age, position and contract situation.
Top 10 most valuable players in the world.
1.   
Lionel Messi
2.   
Neymar
3.   
Eden Hazard
4.   
Cristiano Ronaldo
5.   
Harry Kane
6.   
Raheem Sterling
7.   
Antoine Griezmann
8.   
Luis Suárez,
9.   
Alexis Sanchez

10.
Sergio Agüero 

Rafael Benitez sacked as Real Madrid's coach.

Hiring and sacking coaches at will. Real Madrid have dismissed the club’s manager,  Rafael Benitez,  seven months after hiring him. The club’s B team coach,  Zinedine Zidane has replaced him.
Rafael Benítez’s competitive record as Real Madrid manager:
Games: 25
Won: 17
Drawn: 5
Lost: 3
Win rate: 68%

Rafael Benitez claims there's a campaign against him and the club.

The ‘campaign’ talk, a familiar phrase in football. To cut the long story short, it is one of Jose Mourinho’ infamous phrases.
Real Madrid coach, Rafa Benitez believes there is a campaign against him, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and the club. Real who had a mind-blowing outing weeks back, walloping Rayo Vallecano 10-2 are two points off the top of La Liga.
Speaking at a news conference today ahead of Real’ clash with Real Sociedad, the ex Liverpool manager said
 “There is a campaign against (president) Florentino (Perez), Real Madrid and me.
“Everything is criticised that can be and where not it is manipulated which anyone can see. This is particularly clear if you look at the situation from the outside.”
“Everything is being magnified and I have a lot of experience coaching so I know to be distracted as little as possible.

“I have 24 players in the squad but when I leave out one player then it is made out that it is something personal and a load of speculation is built up. The team is a lot better than people think. My relationship with the players is infinitely better than what you read in the press. There is a communications department that keeps me informed. The team is doing some things well and others not so much.”