Sports
Ogun Celebrates Hockey Victory At NSF
Ogun’s victory over hosts Rivers in the men’s hockey final of the just concluded 17th National Sports Festival, Garden City Games 2011, has been the result of hardwork and dedication to duty, made the attribution just before leaving Coach Agbaje Adewale said in Port Harcourt at the weekend.
Ogun won 5-4 on penalty strokes following a 1-1 draw after extra time in the competition’s final game.
Adewale led a team of young players to beat the host team led by his own former Coach, Tunde Odedokun, and in spite of the vociferous support for the home team.
“It is the result of hardwork and dedication to the cause by all that are involved in this task, and we are grateful to God for crowning our efforts with victory,’’ he said.
The coach said he, his players and other officials had put in many months into preparing for the festival.
“It was really tough on us, but we knew what was at stake and never looked back. Now, we can look back with satisfaction to say the end has justified the means,’’ he said.
Adewale said that the victory was “very sweet’’ for his team, in view of the stiff opposition it faced on the way to the final.
“It is a victory we will savour for a long time, because we camped for four months for this, training very hard and sacrificing a lot.
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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