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The Plateau State Football Association Chairman, Hon. Dr. Suleiman Yahaya Kwande has praised the rationale behind the introduction of the Olympic Day Celebration Run.
Hon. Kwande, who was part of the Olympic Day Run held in Jos, Plateau State over the weekend at the Rwang Pam Township Stadium after some kilometer runs,said: “Apart from the fact that these kilometer runs help in improving the health state of individuals here, the other one thing that caught my attention and interest is seeing abled bodied men and women, boys and girls doing this kilometer walks with individuals with one disability or the other. I’m happy that this Olympic Day celebration is bringing us all under one umbrella, chatting,relating and discussing issues that will move the society and humanity forward. Do you know what this mean? This singular act will surely reduce physical ableism and even sanism. How I wish this is done often.”
It would be recalled that the Plateau State Football Association, ably led by Hon Dr Suleiman Yahaya Kwande brought in snacks for more than hundred(100) people, juice and water.
The Olympic Day Celebration was initiated in 1987 by the International Olympic Committee in commemoration of the Olympic Day when the IOC was created by the Paris Congress on 23rd June, 1894. The Olympic Day Celebration could be held on 23rd June each year or the weekend before or after that date.
Nigeria first organized the Celebration in 1989, in the city of Lagos. Since then, other cities like Abuja, Abeokuta, Enugu, Benin city, Owerri, Uyo and Calabar joined in the Celebration. Today the Celebration cuts across all the states of the Federation and the World at large.
The Olympic day Celebration is a non-competitive race covering the distance of 10km divided into 6km, 3km and 1km races for different age groups to encourage mass participation.
At the end of the race, certificates signed by the President of the International Olympic Committee, were awarded to participants at the finishing point.
Some important personalities that were physically on ground for the Olympic Day Celebration are: The Commissioner For Youth and Sports, Bashir Lawandi Datti(He represented the Plateau State Governor), Permanent Secretary, Sports Ministry, Mrs Rebecca Shaseet, Plateau State Director of Sports, Prof. Ezra Gunen, Plateau State Football Association Chairman, Hon. Dr. Suleiman Yahaya Kwande, Cycling Chairman, Plateau State, Mr. James Amidu, among other top dignitaries in sports on the Plateau.
