Commissioner for Sports Hon. Agnes Atsu Addresses Misconceptions About AGBOKIM Falls Green Marathon
By ETTAH EMMANUEL O.
PRESS RELEASE:
Calabar, Cross River State – December 4, 2024 – The Honorable Commissioner for Sports Development, Cross River State, Mrs. Agnes Atsu, has issued an official statement clarifying the Ministry’s role in the recently concluded AGBOKIM Falls Green Marathon held on November 28, 2024. In response to public inquiries and media coverage surrounding the event, she stressed that the Cross River State Ministry of Sports Development and the Cross River State Sports Commission were not the official organizers of the marathon.
According to Hon. Agnes Atsu, the Ministry and Commission were contacted by the event’s organizers to provide technical support and assistance, but were not involved in the core organization or management of the event. “I want to categorically state that we were not the organizers of the AGBOKIM Falls Green Marathon. Our involvement was purely in a technical capacity to help facilitate the event. The responsibility for the overall event, including prize money and organizational logistics, lies solely with the event’s initiators,” she said.
The commissioner went on to further address reports regarding the prizes awarded to the athletes. While Hon. Atsu personally assembled her athletes to recognize their achievements and provide financial rewards for their outstanding performance, she clarified that no prize funds were provided by the event organizers. “It was out of my kindness and dedication to the athletes that I personally decided to reward them for making Cross River proud. I want to make it clear that the organizers did not provide any prize money for this purpose,” she emphasized.
Hon. Atsu reiterated that, despite the Ministry’s collaboration in offering technical expertise for the event, all other aspects—including the award distribution, event planning, and coordination—were managed solely by the event organizers.
The AGBOKIM Falls Green Marathon, held in the scenic area of the AGBOKIM Falls in Cross River State, attracted numerous participants and was hailed as an exciting addition to the state’s sporting calendar. However, the Commissioner’s clarification aims to ensure transparency and address any misconceptions regarding the involvement of the Ministry of Sports Development.
The Ministry of Sports Development remains committed to supporting and promoting sporting activities in the state, but urges the public to recognize that they were not responsible for the organizational aspects of the AGBOKIM Falls Green Marathon.
Hon. Agnes Atsu is the Commissioner for Sports Development, Cross River State. A passionate advocate for the promotion of sports and youth development, she has played a key role in elevating the state’s sports infrastructure and fostering young athletic talent. She remains dedicated to improving sports opportunities for Cross River’s youth and ensuring transparency.
