Sports
SWAN Wants Govt’s Insistence On Scholarships For Falconents
The Oyo State Chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), has urged the federal government to insist on scholarship for the Falconets.
The government had on the arrival of the silver-winning team at the just-concluded female U-20 World Cup in Germany on Aug. 2, rewarded them with university scholarships.
But the players seemed not comfortable with this, preferring monetary and material rewards.
SWAN Chairman, Salem Akindele-Rock, made the call on Friday in Ibadan while reacting to the action of the Falconets.
“The undue monetisation of our reward system has, over the years, eroded the value system of athletes, hence the lack of patriotism being experienced by the moneybags among them,’’ Akindele-Rock said.
He described the decision of the federal government to award scholarships to members of the team as a laudable initiative that could check age cheating in cadet competitions.
Akindele-Rock said that since majority of them claimed to be between 16 and 18-years-old, it was alarming that they shunned scholarship opportunities to improve their lot.
“For people who claimed to be teenagers to say that over 90 per cent of them were out of school means that female football in Nigeria is either for drop-outs or overage players.
“The nation should stop giving fish to athletes who performed well but should teach them to fish through education so as to remain productive after their active years in sports,” he said.
The chairman, however, observed that being the first African team to make it to the final of any FIFA organised female competition, they needed to be encouraged beyond scholarships.
“The government can go beyond scholarship awards by providing them with further assets like shares or landed property.
“Other Nigerians should follow through sundry rewards which can include cash,” he added.
He urged athletes to think of their sustenance after their career and empower themselves academically, rather than looking at immediate rewards.
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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