The Run Africa Conference has wrapped up in style, with NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko declaring the event officially closed.
The conference was a hotspot for impactful talks, strategic partnerships, and a renewed push for African road running growth. Dikko praised the event as a “defining moment” for African athletics, setting a new bar for collaboration and professionalism.
Key outcomes include plans to boost governance, integrity, and commercial viability in running, with attendees vowing to implement changes. “The work begins now,” said NSC DG Hon. Bukola Olopade.
According to a press statement by the Special assistant to the Director General of National Sports Commission Mr Kola Daniels, The curtains came down in grand style on the Run Africa Conference as the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, officially declared the conference closed, marking the end of days of impactful conversations, strategic engagement and renewed commitment to the growth of road running across the continent.
The conference brought together key stakeholders in athletics, race organization, media, broadcasting, integrity and community development, delivering high-level workshops and panel sessions focused on technical excellence, anti-doping, race credibility, sustainable partnerships and global media positioning.
In his closing remarks, Dikko commended the organizers and participants for what he described as a defining moment for African road running.
“This conference has set a new benchmark for collaboration and professionalism in African athletics. The ideas shared here must translate into action. We are building a structure that will position Africa not just as a participant in global road running, but as a leader,” Dikko stated.
Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, described the conference as a major milestone in strengthening governance, integrity and commercial viability within the running ecosystem.
Hon. Olopade emphasized that the outcomes of the conference would shape policy direction and operational standards going forward.
“What we have achieved here is alignment and it’s the alignment between organizers, regulators, media and commercial partners. But conferences do not change systems; implementation does. The work begins now. We must take these resolutions back to our respective countries and institutions and execute them deliberately,” Hon. Olopade said.
Head of the Local Organising Committee, Dr Solomon Ogba, praised delegates for their active participation and strong engagement throughout the sessions.
“This conference has proven that Africa is ready. Ready to host world-class races, ready to adopt global best practices and ready to tell our own stories on the global stage. The unity we have seen here is the biggest victory of all,” Dr Ogba stated.
The closing ceremony was marked by renewed partnerships, networking commitments and a collective resolve to elevate African road races to internationally recognized standards
