Sports
Ivorian Crisis Affects Postponement Of WAPOGA Games
The political crisis in Cote d’Ivoire has led to the postponement of the West Africa Polytechnic Games (WAPOGA) earlier scheduled for last month, the Director of Sports, Yaba College of Technology, Fredrick Yamala, has said.
Yamala told newsmen yesterday in Lagos that the WAPOGA board could not hold their pre-Games meeting before June to finalise arrangements because of the crisis.
“Due to the political crisis between Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Quatarra, the board could not meet to discuss issues concerning WAPOGA, but now the crisis has been resolved,” he said.
Yamala disclosed that a new date for the meeting had been fixed for July in Ghana.
According to him, the board will then decide on a new date and venue for the Games.
“We cannot conduct the Games till the WAPOGA General Assembly meeting is held in Ghana to discuss modalities for the event. The board will meet hopefully before the end of July,” he said.
He said that Yabatech had been preparing its athletes for the Games and the Nigeria Polytechnic Games (NIPOGA) billed for November.
“We have been training our athletes since the end of last year to make sure we excel at the Games and also in preparation for NIPOGA in November,” Yamala said.
Yamala also expressed happiness that some of the institution’s students were representing Lagos State at the National Sports Festival in Port Harcourt.
The sports director also advised student athletes to take their studies seriously as there was life after sports.
“Students should take their academics seriously because after their sporting careers, they can always fall back on their certificates,” he 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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