Sports
Nigeria’s No 1 Golfer Dies In Auto Crash
Abdullahi Ali, Nigeria’s number one golfer, died on Wednesday in an auto crash at Paiko, some 20 km from Minna.
Tidesports learnt that the professional golfer died alongside his predecessor, Christian Godfrey, and their caddie simply identified as Ben.
They were travelling to the Niger State capital to participate in the Minna Cantonment Professional Gold Champion when their care with registration number Abuja CL 641 RBC, had a burst tyre and collided with another vehicle.
The other car, with registration number Abuja BQ 206 RSH, was travelling from Minna and was occupied by a man and a woman who sustained various degrees of injury and were responding to treatment at the General Hospital, Minna.
Tidesports source, who accompanied the corpses of the golfers to the General Hospital morgue, reported that the organisers of the championship immediately contacted the families of the deceased.
Ali had returned from Cameroon on Tuesday where he won the African Open Golf Championship, tagged Cameroon Open.
The manager of Minna Cantonment Golf Club, simply identified as Ambrose, described the death of the golfers as a shock, adding that the tournament would be postponed in their honour.
Confirming the incident, Mr Emmanuel Abbe, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission in Niger, said N96,500 was found on Ali, while N30,000 was found on Godfrey apart from their personal effects and professional kits.
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.