Sports
Badminton Players Optimistic Of Winning Medals … All African Games
Some national badminton players have expressed optimism of a good performance at the All Africa Games scheduled for Mozambique in September.
In separate interviews with newsmen on Thursday in Lagos, the players said that their optimism stemmed from their recent performance in some international competitions.
Tidesports source recalls that Nigeria attended the All Africa Badminton Championships from May 6 to May 15 in Marrakech, Morocco, and the Kenya Badminton Open in from June 23 to June 26.
One of the players, Olaoluwa Fagbemi, said that Nigeria had always been among the top three in Africa and he was certain that they would do well in Mozambique.
“We have always been among the top three in Africa, I know we will move up the rung at the Games,” he said.
According to Fagbemi, the international competitions we attended in the months of May and June have also honed their skills.
Grace Nathaniel, another player, said that with the training received in camp in Abuja, the selected players to the Games were sure of nothing less than three gold medals.
“I am sure that with all the preparation and the competitions we have attended, the shortlisted players will do well in Maputo,” Nathaniel said.
She said that the National Sports Commission (NSC) had been of tremendous support to the players in camp.
Enejo Abah solicited the support and encouragement of Nigerians for the contingent to the Games for them to excel.
He noted that the major contender with Nigeria was Egypt, adding that with the right strategy, Team Nigeria would surpass them.
“The major competition with Nigeria is Egypt and I am sure that with the right tactics we will conquer them when we meet,” 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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