Sports
Coaches Hail Lagos Director Of SportsAppointment
Coaches of the Lagos State Sports Council (LSSC), have hailed the appointment of Adewunmi Ogunlana as the new director, saying he will move sports to greater heights in the state.
The Coaches who spoke to newsmen over the weekend in Lagos said his appointment would transform the council administratively and impact positively on sports development.
Head Coach, Edet Bassey, stated that Ogunlana had what it takes to steer the council to a greater height.
“He has the administrative capacity to move the council to an improved position better than what it was,’’ he said.
Bassey said that prior to his appointment, the technical personnel, including coaches and the secretarial staff were under a section called Sport Development Department which ought not to be.
Under the present administration, the technical personnel and secretaries no longer work under the same umbrella, explaining that the coaches now report directly to the director of sports.
Boxing Coach, Femi Adefemi, told newmen that changes had started occurring in the council but that there were still some areas that needed to be addressed.
“The new director of sports is on the right path and the activities of the council are glaring for everyone to see, this was not so before this administration.
“We still need some facilities which will help the athletes to train and excel,’’ he said.
Adefemi pleaded with LSSC to give urgent attention to athletes’ welfare by paying them stipends to motivate them.
He said the government was trying for them but needed to do more in their welfare as a way to check poaching by other states.
Lucky Izekor who coaches wrestlers said the council was going through transformation which would attract the best coaches to the state.
Izekor thanked the director for the athletes who had already begun camping for the National Sports Festival, slated for Port Harcourt, Rivers state in November.
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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