Sports
Blatter Seeks African Support Over Election
As uncertainty trails the FIFA presidential election scheduled for today in Zurich, FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, has been seeking the backing of African nations to ensure that today’s FIFA presidential election goes ahead as planned.
English Football Association chairman David Bernstein has called for FIFA to postpone its vote scheduled for today.
Blatter is the only candidate running after Mohamed Bin Hammam’s withdrawal.
The FA needs the backing of 75% of the world’s 208 football associations for the motion to be approved.
Blatter addressed African delegates, who will be at today’s congress, at their hotel in Zurich yesterday morning.
It appeared to be a pre-emptive strike at those seeking a postponement as he sought the African support to ensure the polls would go ahead as planned even before the FA announced their intentions.
However, one country that will not be backing Blatter is Liberia, whose FA President Musa Bility publicly declared he would have voted for Bin Hammam..
Bility told Tidesports that he would be backing the English proposal so time could be made for an alternative candidate to step forward for the credibility of football.
He also added that he thought that many other African countries would support the English FA.
But it seems that the English FA has not had the chance to talk to many delegates about their proposal.
“We have not had a chance to sit down and discuss the matter with the English or even to read their statement,” said Kirsten Nematandani, president of the South African Football Association.
“Maybe they will still seek to engage with us before the Congress starts.”
Earlier this month, the Confederation of African Football said it would be backing Blatter for re-election.
However, the individual football associations across the continent are free to vote as they please.
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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