Sports
UK Sprinter Tasks NSC On Talents
U.K based Nigerian sprinter, Funsho Joseph, has advised the National Sports Commission (NSC) to nurture talents discovered in order to develop sports.
Joseph, a top sprinter in the British Army Academy, told newsmen in Lagos that though talents abound, the country was yet to realise its potentials in sports.
“Talents abound in this country, my coach in the U.K. testified to this but the problem we have is that most athletes are not nurtured even after they have been discovered,” he said.
The sprinter said that if the country was desirous of its athletes excelling at the All Africa Games, their welfare needed to be adequately taken care of to boost their morale.
Joseph appealed to government to give the same attention devoted to football to other sports.
Meanwhile, an athletics coach, Dennis Joseph, has advised the NSC to ensure early camping of athletes to avoid failure at the games.
He said: “We should learn to stop using fire-brigade approach in this country; we know we have talents, but when the right thing is not done, how do we expect good result?”
Joseph, who is assisting the Lagos State Amateur Athletics Association, advised that selected athletes should be camped immediately after the National Sports Festival and should undertake a training tour.
“We should not wait till two weeks before the Games, athletes should be called to camp immediately after the National Sports Festival to boost our chances in Mozambique in September,” he said.
The coach also said that whatever was promised the athletes as allowances should be paid to them promptly to avoid unnecessary distraction at the Games.
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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