Sports
Enyimba Ready For Champions League
The Coach of Enyimba FC of Aba, Evans Ogenyi, yesterday in Aba declared that The Peoples Elephant was ready for the group stage of the CAF Champions League beginning in July.
Enyimba, 2003 and 2004 winners of the competition are drawn in Group A of the competition with Coton Sport of Cameroon, Raja of Morocco and Al Hilal of Sudan.
Enyimba are to play the first leg of their first game at home against Al-Hilal in the first week of July, according to the draws made by CAF recently.
Ogenyi said that the group was regarded as “group of death’’ but that Enyimba were a match to any of the teams in the group.
“I want to assure our fans that Enyimba remain the team to beat at this stage,” Evans told newsmen.
He said that the team would approach all the matches with seriousness and determination to top Group A and qualify for the semi-finals.
“Every team at this stage is a potential winner of the trophy, but then we will approach all the matches with seriousness to make an impact.
“We know the expectations of Nigerians, particularly the people of Abia State. We have done it before and we can equally do it again,’’ he said.
The coach said that the domestic league had enabled the team to prepare adequately for the competition.
“These boys are now determined, they have seen what it means to be in the championship group stage and they are ready to go,’’ Evans said.
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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