Sports
Nwankpa Laments Poor Preparation For C’Wealth Games
Obisia Nwankpa has said that Nigeria’s poor preparation in boxing may spell doom for the country’s medal prospects at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in October.
The National Boxing Coach made the assertion in an interview with newsmen at the weekend at the Boxers’ Camp at the Games Village, Surulere, Lagos.
“Our preparation is zero; we lack proper training kits, our gymnasium is nothing to write home about, the boxers lack experience which can only come from a training tour,” Nwankpa said.
“We are supposed to be preparing for the Commonwealth Games and yet we don’t even have a vehicle in place to transport the boxers to the stadium for training,’’ he said.
Nwankpa said that non-response of the sporting authorities to his several request for training kits had reduced the nation’s boxing profile and the morale of the team in camp.
“Currently, we don’t have International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) graded referees and judges, talkless of participating regularly in AIBA tournaments,’’ Obisia said.
He said the time the boxers had spent in camp was too short for any meaningful progress to be made.
“We need about 10 weeks to prepare a team for a tournament and we have yet to get there and the camp will go on break from Aug. 7.
“You don’t stop midway in a training programme. Training is supposed to be continuous and you don’t stop for a break,’’ Nwankpa said.
“Getting to the Games itself will be a miracle considering the confusing state of affairs in the boxing federation,’’ he said.
The Commonwealth Games will hold from October 3 to 14.
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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