Sports
Kings, Queens Colleges To Host Achimota In Friendlies
All is now set for the first ever co-hosting of the bilateral secondary school games between Nigeria and Ghana scheduled to hold between July 10 and July 14 in Lagos.
Principals of the host institutions, Mr Dele Olapeju of Kings College and Mrs Modupe Ladipo, of Queens College both in Lagos, disclosed this to the newsmen in a joint interview in Lagos.
They said that the schools would be hosting the Achimota College, Accra Ghana, a co-educational school in the week-long competition.
They said that this year’s event would be the best as new dimensions would be introduced to the games.
The principals noted that the schools would engage their Ghanaian counterpart in games such as female football, chess and scrabble.
“Before now, Kings College usually takes on the Achimota boys, a foremost college in Ghana in traditional sports such as football, hockey and cricket.
“But now, Achimota is requesting that their girls should also engage Queens College, a sister institution to Kings College on other games to add more colour and fun to the competition.
“We on our part have concluded arrangements in terms of logistics to ensure the event comes out well,” Ladipo said.
Also speaking, Olapeju noted that the games would further strengthen the existing relationship among the schools, adding that education was not all about going to school and receiving lessons.
“Adventure is part of education. When children move out and meet their counterparts from other countries and engage them in friendly games, all stereotypes are reduced and the aims of ECOWAS achieved.
“What we are doing is to sustain the fraternities that bind us together as African countries and foster unity among the ECOWAS states in the region.
“Already, we are trying to reach out to some old boys from different countries on the need to have one heritage school in their respective countries engaged in this kind of games as this would relive old memories.
“We are aware that there are foremost colleges in various countries around the west coast and such colleges are expected to participate in this kind of friendly games,” Olapeju added.
According to him, such games could create platforms that could snowball into something positive in the future, in the area of national development.
The Kings College principal explained that the week-long competition, would among other things, showcase some calisthenics by girls from Queens College.
“We shall be witnessing a display of calisthenics during the games, a performance which Queens College is well known for.
“I can assure everyone that the game is gradually gaining the desired recognition within and outside the country,” Olapeju 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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