Some residents of Ikom and Agbokim communities in Cross River State have decried the cancellation of the 2025 edition of the Agbokim Green Marathon Competition by the state government.
It would be recalled that Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh, the Secretary to Cross River Government, announced the cancellation of the event on Thursday, citing security reasons.
The 42-km marathon was expected to kick off from the Ikom Township Stadium and terminate at Agbokim Water Falls in Etung Local Government Area.
Some residents of the two communities told correspondents that the reason given for the cancellation was not convincing because the areas had remained peaceful and safe.
Some vendors who at Ikom said that the decision had cut short their expectations a having joyous moment and making brisk business.
Stanley Ntangha, a vendor at the Ikom Township Stadium, said that many traders had booked spaces and stocked their shops with goods in preparation for the marathon.
“We were expecting to make brisk business because the event would have brought local and foreign athletes as well as spectators to this area.
“This cancellation has destroyed our hope. We don’t even understand the reason being given because the area has been safe and peaceful,” he said.
Also speaking, Tasen Odima said the news of the cancellation came to him as a shock, saying,” I am surprised that the marathon was cancelled without any convincing reason”
Odima urged the state government to heed the call of the people and allow the event to hold.
“We have spent so much money and energy to prepare for this event. This cancellation is saddening. It is a discouragement to petty business people like us,” he said.
On his part, Bryan Dwomoh, a Ghanaian and sports manager, who said he arrived with two Kenyan athletes for the marathon, described the cancellation as ‘demoralising’
Dwomoh said: “the morale and psychology of the athletes have already been affected, all the efforts and preparations are now wasted”
Edem Udomiyang, the Creator, Agbokim Marathon, said that with the cancellation, the organisers had lost so much resources, and were at the risk of losing their brand image.
“With this sudden cancellation, many of the private sector partners that supported us have pulled out,” he said.
He said that the marathon that kicked off in 2024 focused to promote grassroot sports development, destination promotion, economic gains, and forest preservation.
