Sports
Expert Counsels Football Authorities On Crowd Control
A security consultant, Damian Ajah, has urged football authorities in the country to ensure adequate security at all domestic league match venues to prevent crowd problems.
Ajah spoke with newsmen on the need for security at match venues against the backdrop of the crowd trouble in Egypt recently which left 73 people dead.
The fans were killed during a clash between rival fans of Al-Masry and Al-Ahly football clubs at Port Said, while 1,000 were reportedly injured. Al-Masry had upset its bitter rivals 3-1 in the match.
Ajah, who is based in Abakaliki, said that efforts should be made to avert such problems as Nigeria was experiencing internal security challenges as Egypt.
“Egypt has been in political turmoil since the ouster of former President Hosni Mubarak just as Nigeria has the menace of Boko Haram.
“The Egyptian authorities failed to realise that the protests across the country could spill over to football venues, a situation linked to the Port Said incident,” he said.
Ajah called for an increase in the number of security personnel and other apparatus at match venues, especially in identified flash points to check incidents of crowd troubles.
“Football authorities should not leave security issues at match venues to the home teams alone but ensure that resources are committed to make security personal dedicated to their duties.
“Crowd unrests at match venues now will be disastrous due to the high level of passion attached to the game and which contributed to the large casualty figures in Egypt,” he said.
He advocated for a mechanism where clubs would be mandated to enlighten their supporters on the need to maintain law and order at stadiums.
“They should be educated on ways of channelling their grievances through appropriate quarters and not taking the law into their hands.
“Spectators found to constitute security threats at match venues should be identified and banned from stadiums to serve a deterrent to others,” he said.
Ajah called on Nigerian referees to be fair while discharging their duties and avoid making biased decisions that would incur the wrath of fans.
According to him, 90 per cent of crowd troubles at stadiums are caused by poor officiating.
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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