Sports
Rivers Karate Team Ready For N’Delta Tourney
Rivers State Karate Association has put in place necessary arrangement to participate in the forthcoming second Niger Delta Open national Karate Championships billed to hold from 5th – 12th of this month in Asaba, delta State.
This was disclosed at the weekend by the Chief Coach of the Rivers State Karate Association leader Yacob Kingsley O. Ewelie in a chat with Tidesports at the Alfred Diete-Spiff Sports Complex, Port Harcourt.
According to him, his athletes were poised to win laurels and clinch top positions at the competition, saying that, they had prepared intensively and were ready for the championship.
He noted that the championship would be used to select talented karatekas and groom them ahead of the forthcoming All African Games.
Meanwhile, the competition is being organised by the Karate Federation of Nigeria (KFN), in conjunction with Delta State Karate Association.
The competition is also intended to improve the standard of karatekas nationally and take the sport to the next level in Nigeria,” he said.
The competition would also witness a referees course, coaching course, players technical training and black belts grading/homologation.
The tournament is expected to feature all senior categories events in line with the United Federation of African Karate and World Karate Federation, UFAK and WKF respectively.
It would be recalled that the state karate association clinched second position in female karate at the just-concluded karata championship, held in Owerri, Imo State, while the Rivers male did not participate in the kata demonstration.
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
-
News17 hours agoPolice Arrest Nigerian, Two Others For Kidnapping In Edo
-
Business7 hours agoNigeria, AFC sign $1.3 billion deal to build alumina refinery
-
Nation19 hours agoPerm Sec Explains Success Of FGM Elimination Programme In Rivers
-
News17 hours agoNDLEA Arrests Ex-Councillor With 40kg Skunk, Recovers Drugs In Diapers
-
Rivers7 hours agoLGSC Boss Commits To Better Service Delivery
-
Rivers7 hours agoKENPOLY Rector Promises To Prioritise Students’ Welfare
-
Rivers7 hours agoADIAFRICA Flags-off Free Eye Screening Outreach In PH