Abuja Hosts Olympic Marathon Walk Today as Part of Nigeria Engineering Games

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The Olympic Marathon Walk, a key feature of the annual Nigeria Engineering Games, is set to take place today Saturday 12th July 2025 in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

The initiative, sponsored and championed by the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr. Habu Ahmed Gumel, is aimed at promoting physical fitness, wellness, and active living among Nigerians across all age groups.

Speaking to journalists ahead of the event, Engr. Gumel who doubles as the Treasurer General of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), expressed optimism about turnout and public interest in the walk, which has grown in popularity over the years.

“I would like to see not less than 250 participants at this year’s event,” he said. “I expect people of all ages to come, have fun, and use the walk as an opportunity to stay fit and healthy.”

First-Ever Participation by Top Sports Administrators

This year’s edition will witness the first-ever participation of top officials from the National Sports Commission (NSC), a move Gumel described as “a significant milestone” in promoting collaboration between sporting and professional bodies.

“I am happy that for the first time, the Chairman and the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olopade, respectively, will join me in leading the walk,” he added.

Gumel, a former President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), highlighted the dual purpose of the event — celebrating engineering excellence while advocating for the importance of healthy lifestyles through exercise and communal sporting activities.

Details of the Walk

Participants are expected to converge by 8:00 a.m. at the Nigerian Society of Engineers Headquarters, located off Labour House Road/National Mosque Road, in Abuja’s Central Business District. From there, the Olympic Marathon Walk will commence, covering designated routes within the city center.

The event traditionally attracts a mix of engineers, technocrats, sports enthusiasts, corporate executives, students, and everyday residents of Abuja — all united by a shared commitment to physical fitness and community engagement.

Commitment to Grassroots Sports and Wellness

The Olympic Walk is part of a broader strategy by the Nigeria Olympic Committee to encourage grassroots sports participation, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and deepen public involvement in wellness-oriented activities. The integration of the walk into the Nigeria Engineering Games underscores the importance of holistic well-being — balancing intellectual and professional development with physical health.

“As engineers, athletes, and professionals, we must champion healthy living. This walk is not only symbolic but also a call to action for regular physical activity in our daily lives,” Gumel concluded.

The event is expected to further strengthen ties between the engineering and sporting communities while fostering a sense of camaraderie and wellness consciousness among Nigerians.

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