Jackson Sito has participated happily in every edition of the Warri Effurun Peace Marathon and God willing he is still looking forward to run some more races.
Sito, well into his 60s is always a colourful sight, spotting cornrows and neat wears, he is distinct feature from the other contestants.
Just as they say old soldier never dies, so it applies to Sito. He disclosed that he use to be a former long distance athlete and during his days, he reprepresented Oyo State.
He was a regular participant in the Maltonic and Milo Marathons organised by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria back in the 1980s and 90s.
” Participating in the WEPM is something I look forward to every year, for me It’s a pleasure coming here and flexing with the kids, this something I’ve done all my life.”
Sito is also a coach of grassroots athletes and according to him, Nigeria as a country owe it lot to the youths to provide sporting opportunities.
“Now I’m training kids in long distance running with the belief that they can become future stars.
“Nigerians can do well in long distance running, we just need to start training the kids early and follow them up.
“This is why it is important we introduce them to sport at early age so that they can quickly achieve their potentials.
“If the East Africans can be doing well in the short sprints in today’s athletics what stops us to also producing world champions in the long distance? It is not like rocket science, it’s a matter of training and managing of talents discovered.”
He praised the organisers of the WEPM, urging more Warri and Effurun citizens to participate in the celebration of fitness.
