LAGOS – Statewide Waste and Environmental Education Foundation (SWEEP Foundation), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), will celebrate the International Youth Day 2022 with Eko Beach Race on Saturday, August 13, 2022 at the Elegushi Beach, Lekki.
According to Ambassador Obuesi Phillips who is the President of Beach Race Club and Executive Director of the foundation, Eko Beach Race harnesses the power of sport to promote sustainability and circular economy. The event has been aptly tagged ‘A Race against Ocean Plastic Pollution’ and is hosted in celebration of the International Youth Day 2022 while drawing stakeholders’ attention to the menace of plastic pollution on our water bodies especially the oceans.
“We have tagged this year’s event “a race against ocean plastic pollution” as a demand for freedom for biodiversity and improved human attitude towards marine life and reduction in plastic waste pollution. We have created a new sporting activity, a new investment corridor and harnessing the many tourism opportunities for Lagos state.
“We want to use the Eko Beach Race as a strong and effective platform for awareness and finding solutions to ocean plastic pollution. Available data indicates that unless drastic actions are taken, there will be more plastics in our oceans and other water bodies than there will be fishes by year 2050.”
Meanwhile, the organisers said the event which will be in in its 10th year will see important government officials, corporate personalities and other environmental enthusiasts gather to experience Eko Beach Race. Expected at the event include the Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs Prince Anofiu Lanre Elegushi, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni MD/CEO LAWMA, Mrs. Nwamaka Onyemelukwe Director Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability, The Coca-Cola Company, Dr. Desmond Majekodunmi, Director LUFASI amongst many others in attendance.
More and more professional and amateur athletes, officials and the general public now look forward to our yearly sporting and tourism rituals and we can only get better with the sponsorship, support and partnership of Lagos State government and other corporate organizations.
Winners at this year’s Eko Beach Race will go home with various cash prizes and other gift items courtesy of event partners.
Forms are available for all interested runners at VCN Sports Shop, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos or online via @SWEEPFoundation or send email to beachraceclub@gmail.com