Sports
Rivers Weightlifters Target 30 Gold Medals 17th NSF
Members of Rivers State Amateur Weightlifting Association has pledged to win more laurels at the forthcoming 17th National Sports Festival to surpass the ones won at the last edition tagged “KADA 2008” held in Kaduna.
One of the assistant coaches of the association, Mike Oyekachi, disclosed this to Tidesprots midweek in an exclusive interview at the Alfred Diete-Spiff Sports Complex, Port Harcourt.
According to him, the body is working towards the target of 30 gold medals at the National Sports meet billed for November this year in Port Harcourt.
He continued that their lifters were in top shape and prepared to face the challenges associated with the task ahead and to achieve their set target at the ‘Garden City Games 2010’.
Coach Oyekachi, explained that the weightlifting association holds her trial every last Friday of the month as a way of keeping the athletes fit and boost their morale ahead of future engagements, especially, the national sports fiesta.
Meanwhile, the body has already compiled a list of Weightlifters to represent the state at the “Garden City Games 2010” come November.
It would be recalled that the body won a total of 27 medals at the recently concluded National Youth Open Weightlifting trial for junior and senior (female and male) held in Lagos.
The body won 12 gold, nine silver and six bronze medals at the national trial which lasted from February 28th-3rd March, 2010.
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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