Sports
Royal Father Pledges Support For Boxing
The traditional ruler of
Awka in Anambra, Igwe Gibson Nwosu, has pledged to continue to support boxing in the country.
He spoke when he received a delegation of the Goodluck/Sambo Boxing Initiative in Awka recently.
Gibson said he was in boxing promotion in Zambia before the call to become a traditional ruler.
“I was doing fine in Zambia promoting both boxing and wrestling and making champions out of the likes of late Manmountain Kilimanjaro of Zambia.
“Our own late Mike Okpala a.k.a. ‘Power Mike’ was made a champion when I invited him to Zambia and promoted the African Heavyweight Wrestling fight that he eventually won,” he said.
He promised to do his possible best to assist in the smooth take off of the competition because “boxing is my first love”.
The leader of the team, Ikechukwu Okoronkwo, a former amateur lightwelter weight champion, had earlier told the traditional ruler that they needed his support.
“We need your fatherly support and advice to get it right,’’ he said.
“We have the backing of the Presidency to commence the hunt for young lads who are making the wrong use of their God-given talents in kidnapping, armed robbery and other vices.
“We started by merging the South-East and South-South geo-political zones to hold the competition between March 15 and March 19 in Enugu before going to the other zones.”
The delegation included a member of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Mrs Elizabeth Ezeugwu and Ngozika Ekwelum, a former African Heavyweight Champion.
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.