Ouagadougou: The Governor of the Liptako-Soum region, Abdoul Karim Zongo, praised Hama Hamidou Dicko, the organizer of the inaugural edition of the Unique Dori Marathon (MADO), for successfully facing the challenge of organizing this unprecedented competition in Dori.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the Unique Dori Marathon united 45 runners from the Defense and Security Forces and the civilian population. The event aimed to promote values of peace, resilience, communal living, and national-military cohesion. The marathon covered a distance of approximately ten kilometers, executed as a relay race in the city of Dori, with nine teams each comprising five runners.
Comrade Hermann Venegda of the “Entente” team was the first to cross the finish line. In the overall standings, the “Entente” team secured first place, followed by “Famille” in second, and “Paix” in third. The winning team was awarded gold medals and 55,000 FCFA. The second-place team received silver medals and 45,000 FCFA, while the third-place team took home bronze medals and 30,000 FCFA. The fourth and fifth teams each received 25,000 FCFA.
According to the MADO promoter, Comrade Dicko, the idea for the event emerged from recognizing a gap in the sporting scene in the Liptako region. He expressed that the successful execution of this first edition marked the realization of a dream. Dicko extended his gratitude to all individuals and organizations who supported his initiative, vowing to enhance future editions based on this experience.
The sponsors’ representative, Comrade Namagnan Traor, Regional Director of the National Police for Liptako, lauded the initiative for fostering unity among security forces and civilians through sport. He affirmed the sponsors’ commitment to backing the event and ensuring its continued presence on the regional sporting calendar.
Governor Abdoul Karim Zongo, who presided over the ceremony, commended the promoter’s dedication and the resilience demonstrated by the organizing committee. He also applauded the runners for their dedication. Given the enthusiasm and excitement from this inaugural event, the governor pledged his support for subsequent editions of the Unique Dori Marathon. MADO is now emerging as a platform for promoting sport and strengthening peace, resilience, and social cohesion in the Liptako-Soum region.