Key Stakeholders Endorse, Rally Support for Bonny Island Marathon

As Nigeria’s premier community driven athletic event, the Bonny Island Marathon gets set for its 8^th outing, the Bonny Local Government and Bonny Council of Chiefs have thrown their weight behind the sporting event.

Speaking ahead of the event, which takes centre stage in 159 days, Bonny Chiefs’ Council, in a statement, noted the competition’s role in uniting the community, as well as putting a magnifying glass on the positive image of Bonny Kingdom.

“The Bonny Island Marathon has become a vital platform that unites the community, promotes the cultural heritage of Bonny Island, and inspires youth through the values of sportsmanship and resilience…

“With sustained support, this marathon will continue to deliver impactful benefits to Bonny Island and promote a positive image of our Kingdom.”

On its part, the Bonny Local Government led by its Administrator, Kingsley Banigo also affirmed the strategic roles of the marathon in amplifying the destination marketing drive which projects Bonny Island as a destination of choice for investment and tourism.  

“This event has successfully positioned our community as a vibrant destination for sports tourism while fostering economic activities and social development.”

“We strongly recommend it for support from stakeholders and sponsors.”

The Local Organizing Committee of the Bonny Island Marathon expressed its excitement at the endorsements, noting that they deepen the legitimacy of the sporting fiesta and aligns with stakeholder expectations in the region.

“In an exciting turn of events, we are proud to also announce we have received official endorsements and recommendation from the Bonny Local Government Council and the Bonny Chiefs’ Council, further strengthening the project’s legitimacy and aligning it with key institutional stakeholders in the region.”

“These endorsements recognize the Bonny Island Marathon as a pioneering initiative in youth development, tourism, and regional identity building.”

As it enters its 8th edition, the Bonny Island Marathon has evolved into a national beacon of excellence in sports tourism, attracting runners from across Nigeria and beyond, which is evidenced in the award it received in 2022 as the ‘Emerging Sports Tourism Event’ of the year by the African Tourism Hub.

“These endorsements mark a watershed moment in the marathon’s trajectory as it seeks broader collaborations and support.”