Sports
Odunlami Tasks Youths On Traditional Sports
The Secretary of Lagos State Traditional Sports Association, Segun Odunlami, has advised youths to take to traditional sports, to enhance its development.
Odunlami told newsmen in Lagos that more traditional sporting events like Langa, Abula and Dambe had been lined up for the second quarter to discover talents in the state.
He said that apart from the just concluded 1st Lagos State Traditional Wrestling (KOKOWA) Championship, additional efforts would be made to discover more talents in traditional sports.
The secretary said that 80 wrestlers featured in the KOKOWA championship in the 55kg, 65kg, 75kg, 85kg and 100 kg categories.
Odunlami commended Governor Babatunde Fashola for his support toward the development of sports generally, including traditional sports.
“‘Those youths who have not been participating in sports should go to their local government areas and get involved in one traditional sport or the other.
“‘For instance, we have wrestlers clubs only in some areas like Ajegunle, Ketu, Ibafo, Ikorodu and we want more participants,” the secretary said.
Odunlami said that gold, silver and bronze medals won by the athletes in each category would attract N20, 000, N15, 000 and N10, 000 respectively.
“‘We do not have any challenge now because the state has done much for us by releasing money for grassroots sports development.
“‘No sport is neglected and this is encouraging to our youths, who have been training for long without getting competitions to assess their strength.”
He said the talents discovered in various competitions would be called to camp ahead of the state and National Sports Festivals.
Coach Edet Ibanga of the State Traditional Sports expressed surprise at the new crop of talents emerging from traditional sports.
“The standard is high now and we have been able to discover new talents at the grassroots, who are qualified to represent the state,” he said.
A traditional wrestling coach with the Lagos State, Femi Akinsanya, applauded the efforts of the state government, and urged wealthy individuals to emulate Fashola’s good gesture.
Akinsanya recalled that Lagos State won all the prizes in Langa, Dambe and Kokowa in the traditional sporting championship in Ogun State a fortnight ago.
“We want more competitions to build our athletes’ level of confidence, ahead of the sports festival scheduled for November 27 to December 9 in Lagos.
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.