Sports
Women Challenge Cup:Tough Draws For Ex-Champions
Former champions Bayelsa Queens, Nasarawa Amazons and Delta Queens face stiff opposition in the group stage of the 2011 Women Challenge Cup competition following the draw held last week in Abuja.
According to the draw, the three clubs as well as top sides Sunshine Queens, Pelican Stars and Inneh Queens have tough opposition to contend with.
The group phase competition will hold at Jos, Lafia, Calabar and Aba from September 15 to 20.
At the draws held at the association’s Glass House secretariat, 2005 champions Nasarawa Amazons were placed in Group A alongside Akure-based Sunshine Queens and three other clubs.
In the group based in Jos with two quarter-final tickets available for five clubs, both sides also have state competition winners from FCT, Abia and Oyo to contend with.
In Abia, the fight for the state’s lone ticket is between Abia Queens, Standard Babes and Cyprian Nwankwo Queens in Abia.
Group B in Lafia has 2006 and 2007 champions Bayelsa Queens having to face Cerezo Queens of Kwara, Pelican Stars of Cross River and one of Kogi Confluence and Oguche Babes from Kogi.
In Group C based in Calabar, defending champions Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt seem to have an easy draw, with only the Ibom Angels of Uyo as their formidable opponents.
Apa Queens of Otukpo, representing Benue, and either of Garden Queens and Laraba Shoda Babes from Ogun are the other two in the group. Group D which also have five clubs and is based in Aba has 2010 competition runners-up Delta Queens of Asaba drawn with Inneh Queens of Benin, another top performer.
However, surprise quantities Adamawa Queens of Yola and Osun Babes of Osogbo, as well as one of Police Machine and TOKAS Queens from Lagos, make up the group.
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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