Sports
Dropped Kebbi Athletes Want Probe Of N10m
Irked by the decision to drop them from the Kebbi State contingent to the National Sports Festival in Port Harcourt, 25 track and field athletes have called for an investigation into how the N10 million released by the government was spent.
The aggrieved athletes told Tidesports source in BirniKebbi that their outstanding allowances were not paid before the departure of the contingent to Port Harcourt.
The athletes said that they had been training for the festival for the past two months only to be dropped at the last minute without the officials making arrangements for the payment of their allowances.
The Kebbi State contingent departed for Port Harcourt on Saturday for the National Sports Festival which holds from June 27 to July 11.
One of the athlete, who did not want his name published, said that they were told that only N10 million was released by the government for the festival.
He said the 25 athletes, initially selected to represent the state in track and field, were dropped “to our dismay and we were not paid any allowances”.
He said that they were told that money was not made available to pay their allowances in spite of the N10 million released by the government.
The athletes alleged that their colleagues, who made the team, were paid N20,000
out of the N30,000 earmarked for each person.
A group of special sports atheltes, who were unaware of the departure of the rest of the team, milled under a tree waiting.
The track and field coach, simply identified as Hassan, told our source on telephone that he was already in Port Harcourt expecting the 25 athletes but was shocked to learn that they had been dropped.
Sources said that N28 million was requested by the Kebbi State Ministry of Sports and Youth Development for the festival.
Efforts to get the comments of the Director of Sports, Tukur Kamba, were not fruitful.
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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