Sports
Pelican Stars Reshuffle Coaching Crew
Pelican Stars FC of Calabar, a National Professional Women’s team, has carried out a partial reshuffling of its coaching crew.
According to a statement by the club’s management on Tuesday in Calabar, the Egan Adat-led technical crew has been disbanded by Mr. Sam Kombor, the chairman.
The statement added that the coaching crew was dissolved over what it called a “lacklustre performance’’ in the ongoing league season.
“In conformity with the ongoing National Professional Women’s League, the management of Pelican Stars has deemed it expedient to reposition the team for better performance.
“In keeping with its dogged tradition to stay at the top, the club has dropped the Chief Coach, Mr Obi Ogbele, and suspended the technical adviser, Mr. Egan Adat, for a period of one month,’’ the statement stated.
The statement directed Mr. Ekpe Ntiero, the team’s assistant coach “to act as the head of the coaching crew to be assisted by Mr. John Odey.
According to the statement, the crew was reorganised over what it called the team’s “lacklustre performance in the last away match involving Pelican Stars and Kogi Confluence FC’’ in Kogi.
It stated that the new appointments would take immediate effect.
The Tidesports reports that Pelican Stars, a first generation female football club, had lost 0-5 to the Kogi female team in a Week One encounter of the ongoing female league.
Adat further said that the management has yet to officially inform him of its decision.
“I am away on assignment and nobody has communicated the decision to me but if the dissolution is on account of lacklustre performance, it is unfortunate.
“A team’s performance whether good or bad is based on the quality of players in its fold.
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.