Pabre:Walker Drissa Sawadogo clinched his fourth consecutive victory in the Raguilio club sports walk, held on October 24 in the commune of Pabre. Sawadogo triumphed in the adult men's category, finishing ahead of David Rouamba.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the event in Pabre was marked by the presence of seasoned champions and emerging young talents, featuring competitions across multiple men's and women's categories. Sawadogo dominated the men's race, completing the 10km course in 1 hour, 4 minutes, and 39 seconds, ahead of his competitors David Rouamba and Souleymane Ouedraogo, who secured second and third places respectively.
The women's division saw Aude Marie Saboue from Diedougou retaining her title. She finished the race in 1 hour, 16 minutes, and 5 seconds, followed closely by Nadine Tapsoba and Talato Koala. The junior categories also witnessed impressive performances, with Theophile Zabre winning the boys' race in 31 minutes and 11 seconds, and Farida Ouedraogo dominating the girls' race in 38 minutes and 9 seconds.
The event celebrated not only athletic accomplishments but also community spirit, with honorary distinctions awarded to 72-year-old Kuilga Abdramane Nikiema and Abiba Nombre for their commendable participation. Young Ousmane Sidie, at 10 years old, was recognized as the youngest participant.
Sidyaswende Jean-Baptiste Ouedraogo, President of the Special Delegation of Pabre, highlighted the event's role in enhancing the municipality's visibility and fostering social cohesion. Abdel Kader Ouedraogo, chairman of the organizing committee, expressed satisfaction with the participation, noting that over 890 people registered. The committee faced financial and logistical challenges but introduced innovations such as awarding prizes to women in each category.
Dr. Brahima Ouedraogo, the event's scientific director, emphasized the health benefits of walking, including reducing risks of diseases such as cardiovascular conditions and diabetes. He stressed the importance of encouraging physical activity to combat the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle.
Future plans for the event include extending registrations to the sub-regional level to attract more participants.