Sports
Ekeji Challenges Sportsmen, Commends Delta Govt
The Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Dr Patrick Ekeji, has described sports as a money spinning career.
Ekeji said this in Asaba at a reception organised by the Delta Government to honour the state’s contingent
to the 17th National Sports Festival held last month in Port Harcourt.
According to him, some sportsmen receive money equivalent to what some state executives receive.
He said that unless the athletes remained focused and dedicated they would not get to greater levels and advised them to exhibit humility, saying “humility pays.
“Do not allow your success get into your head because humility pays.” The director-general also implored those of them who had no formal education to obtain such education in spite of their stardom, harping on the need to always expand capacity through training and retraining programmes.
He commended the Delta Government for its support to sports, saying that without the support the athletes would be wasted.
He noted that since the creation of the state, the commission had always looked up to Delta to provide the bulk of sports men and officials for both national and international competitions.
The director-general appealed to the Delta Government to refurbish the College of Physical Education in the state. Meanwhile Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has directed the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to revive schools sports in all primary and secondary schools in the state.
Uduaghan said that there was the need to revive schools sports in the spirit of “catch them young” with a view to training them for future sports challenges.
He noted that during the Governor Osaigbovo Ogbamudia era in the then Bendel, athletes combined education in schools with sports. The governor said the motive was to change the strategy of the state in discovering, selecting, training and fielding athletes in future sports competitions.
“We have the facilities, men and women, as well as the manpower to achieve this.
“So with effect from the next academic session, we will introduce school cup and from the pool we get athletes that will be going for competitions,” he said.
The governor also said that bronze medal winners would receive N200,000 each while those who did not win any medal got N50,000 each.
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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