Sports
Amosun’s Wife Pledges Support For Falconets
The wife of Ogun State
Governor, Mrs Olufunso Amosun, has promised to motivate the Falconets, to win the return leg of the U-20 Women World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe.
Amosun made the pledge after the national U-20 women team defeated their Zimbabwean counterparts 3-0 in the first leg of the first round of the qualifiers in Abeokuta last weekend.
The governor’s wife, who is expected to lead the state’s delegation to Zimbabwe for the match said she would not relent in inspiring the team which had the state as their abode to reach the World Cup.
The team’s coach, Edwin Okon, described his girls’ performance as unsatisfactory, saying there was room for more goals.
He promised to work on all the departments of the team to get “desirable results’’.
“My girls had the chance to score more goals in the first match but they could not utilise their chances. We promise to improve in the next match,’’ he said.
On his part, the Technical Adviser of the Zimbabweans, Maxwell Takaendesa, admitted that his team lost to a better side.
He, however, vowed that his team would prepare well ahead of the second leg with the aim of turning the table.
“We just lost to a better side. But anything can still happen. Our team will prepare well for the second leg,’’ Takaendesa said.
Francisca Ordega opened scoring for the Falconets in the 25th minute of the game played at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, while Esther Sunday scored a brace in 46th and 76th minutes.
The Falconets will tackle the winners of the Congo/Mali encounter in the next qualification round if they are through with Zimbabwe.
The FIFA U-20 Women World Cup is scheduled to hold in Japan in September.
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.