Sports
Pillars Boss Happy With Draw
Kano Pillars coach Salisu Yusuf was pleased with both the endeavour and the result from his side’s opening day 1-1 draw at Kaduna United.
Ali Rabiu put the northern aristocrats in front before they were pegged back by Siman Yusuf’s mean volley into the roof of the net.
But Salisu was happy to come away with a point on the road
“I am happy with the draw. Normally every first game of the season is difficult, especially when it is an away match,” Salisu told the NPL’s official website.
“To pick a point in the first away match is no mean feat. We are surely going to improve on the performance.
“By the time we played up to three matches, the team would have picked up. I don’t have any doubt in my mind that we have the crop of players that will make us proud this season,” Salisu said.
Neighbours Kaduna United and Kano Pillars opened the 2010/2011 Nigeria Premier League season with an entertaining 1-1 draw at the Kaduna Township Stadium on Saturday.
Rabiu Ali volleyed Pillars in front after 28 minutes, and Siman Yusuf found parity for the hosts eight minutes before the interval.
A near full house in Kaduna witnessed the kickoff of a season which has suffered multiple postponements.
NPL chairman Davidson Owumi led a glittering cast of ex internationals, including Daniel Amokachi and Victor Ikpeba who witnessed the opening day of the season.
They were not to be disappointed by the passion and desire of the their successors, if not the quality of football.
Both sides had early chances to open the scoring, but Pillars looked the stronger side, and it was no surprise when they went in front.
Ali found himself on the end of an inch perfect ball from deep, and just had time to turn before lashing in on the half volley under Kaduna goalkeeper Richard Ochayi’s despairing dive to his bottom left hand corner.
Falling behind sparked the home side into life, and they laid siege to the visitors half.
Reward quickly followed endeavour. And it took barely eight minutes.
If Ali’s goal was of perfect quality to open the season, the leveler was even better. Sani Aruwa turned on a coin halfway into the Pillars half, and played an excellent ball into the right channel for Siman Yusuf.
Just like Ali before him, Yusuf allowed the ball to run in front of him, then unleashed a thunderbolt to the roof of Theophilus Afelokhai’s net.
Both sides could have added to their tally in the second period, but the profligacy that afflicts players in the domestic game continued, with Kaduna’s Jude Aneke the villain of the piece.
In the end, it finished with no further goals, and the biggest relief will be among the fans. At least, the season is finally underway.
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.
-
News5 days agoDon Savours Inaugural Lecture Presentation, Commends VC
-
News16 hours agoPolice Arrest Nigerian, Two Others For Kidnapping In Edo
-
Business6 hours agoNigeria, AFC sign $1.3 billion deal to build alumina refinery
-
Nation18 hours agoPerm Sec Explains Success Of FGM Elimination Programme In Rivers
-
News16 hours agoNDLEA Arrests Ex-Councillor With 40kg Skunk, Recovers Drugs In Diapers
-
Rivers6 hours agoLGSC Boss Commits To Better Service Delivery
-
Rivers6 hours agoADIAFRICA Flags-off Free Eye Screening Outreach In PH
-
Rivers6 hours agoKENPOLY Rector Promises To Prioritise Students’ Welfare