Carloha, Okpekpe International Road Race partner to drive sports development

Carloha Nigeria, the authorised dealer of Chery vehicles in Nigeria, has partnered with the Okpekpe International Road Race to support sports development and encourage a growing culture of endurance fitness among Nigerians.

Now in its 11th edition, the 10km race, scheduled for May 30, 2026, in Edo State, is regarded as one of Africa’s most prestigious road racing events.

Recognised as a World Athletics Gold Label event and a full member of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races, the race attracts elite athletes, sports enthusiasts, and global broadcast attention.

As part of its participation in the race, Carloha’s will deploy two Chery HIMLA vehicles as the official lead cars for professional and VIP runners at the event.

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The vehicles are expected to carry the race timing systems and remain positioned ahead of the athletes throughout the competition, placing the Chery brand at the centre of one of Nigeria’s most internationally recognised sporting events.

Speaking on the partnership, Felix Mahan, general manager marketing, Carloha Nigeria, described the sponsorship as part of the company’s broader corporate social responsibility commitment toward supporting sports development, healthy living, youth empowerment, and globally relevant community initiatives.

According to Mahan, endurance sports such as long-distance running share a natural connection with the values represented by the Chery HIMLA — strength, resilience, durability, consistency, and the ability to perform under demanding conditions.

“Just as endurance athletes are built to go the distance despite challenging terrain and conditions, the HIMLA is engineered for strength, reliability, and sustained performance across diverse driving environments,” Mahan said.

He further noted that supporting internationally recognised sporting events contributes positively to Nigeria’s global image and encourages local participation in athletics and wellness culture.

Beyond its involvement in the race, Carloha is also using the event to highlight its aftersales support package, CarlohaCare 6-6-7, as competition among automobile brands in Nigeria increasingly extends beyond vehicle sales to customer retention and service delivery.

The package includes a six-year warranty, six years of free servicing, and a seven-day repair promise, reflecting the company’s effort to position the Chery brand around durability, reliability, and long-term ownership support in Nigeria’s automotive market.

As part of activities lined up for the event, Carloha said it will host a fan engagement activation at the race venue, featuring interactive games and audience participation activities for attendees.

The company said participants would also have access to promotional giveaways and discount vouchers on Chery vehicle models available in Nigeria, describing the initiative as part of broader efforts to connect with consumers through sports, mobility, and lifestyle-focused experiences.