Sports
NBBF Plans National Women Open Basketball Championship
The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) is planning a National Women Open Championship to ensure that female clubs in the country participated at least in one competition in the year.
NBBF President, Tijani Umar who disclosed this to the Tidesports Lagos also said that the body would equally introduce a U-16 Championships.
Lumar said that the clubs that participated in 7th Zenith Bank Female Basketball league concluded on Oct. 29 in Lagos had agreed that the competitions begin early in 2012 during their meeting.
The women open championship is designed to expand the number of clubs that will be taking part in the national female league.
“It is to give opportunity to feeder clubs to be promoted to annual female league, thereby engendering serious competition among clubs.
This national championship would have started this year but because of financial constraints, we have all agreed that it takes off next year because it will help to hasten development of the game,” Umar said.
On the U-16 championships, he said that it was basically a talent hunt programme designed to discover players who would be nurtured to take over from the national U-18 teams and progress from there.
He explained that the current male and female U-18 teams had not been performing to expectation at international championships hence, the need to start early to groom players.
This competition will be for secondary schools across the country. This will also help the federation to be sure of the ages of the players since they are in schools,” Umar said.
He appealed to corporate organisations to lift the youth by sponsoring the competitions
The NBBF president also told Tidesports that the Men’s National Division One League had been fixed to take place in Abuja from November 13 to November 20.
This division one league will help to select teams to replace the relegated ones at the end of 2010/2011 DSTV Premier League,” he said.
Delta Force from the Atlantic Conference and Plateau Rocks form the Savannah Conference were relegated after the competition in July.
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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