Sports
RSG Rewards KADA 2009 Medallists With Cash …Athletes Express Dissatisfaction
Rivers States athletes who won medals at the 16th National Sports Festival, tagged KADA 2009 Games in Kaduna earlier in the year have been cash awards.
The athletes were officially received in an awards ceremony yesterday at the Alfred Diete Spiff Sports complex Port Harcourt.
Announcing the awards, the state governor Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Hon. Magnus Abe declared that gold medallits would receive the sum of N300,000 each, while silver and bronze winners would get N200,000 and N150,000 respectively.
Also coaches/secretaries of respective sports would receive same as the medalists, while accompanying referees and sundry staff will get N100,000 each.
Meanwhile, the athletes have expressed dissatisfaction over the rewards given to them by the state government.
During the award ceremony yesterday at the Alfred Diete Spiff Sports Complex, most of the athletes expressed worry over the delay in according them official reception after the festival saying “since February, it is now that government remembered athletes who made the state proud. Besides, the N300,000 N200,000 and N150,000 given to gold, silver and bronze medaist is too small. How could we receive N500,000 for gold after the Gateway Games in Ogun State and come to receive a lower amount now, this is not encouraging at all,” one of the athletes said.
Speaking at the occasion the Commissioner for Sports in the State, Hon. Boma Iyaye, thanked the athletes for making the state proud, despite the harsh whether condition in Kaduna and against all odds and oppositions.
Hon. Iyaye, charged them to be good sports ambassadors of the state and advised youths to shun all forms of social vices.
Tonye Orabere
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
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