Sports
Stakeholders Task Flamingoes On U-17 World Cup Final
Some football stakeholders have urged the U-17 female team, the Flamingoes, to remain focused and ensure they get to the final of the U-17 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The U-17 FIFA Women’s World Cup is scheduled to hold from September 22 to October 13 in Azerbaijan.
In separate interviews with newsmen yesterday, the stakeholders said that they have confidence in the ability of the team and urged the players not to let the country down at the championship.
Nnenna Etim, a former Super Falcons coach, urged the team not to underrate any country, saying getting to the final should be their target.
Etim advised the players not to allow sentiments to rule them, but follow the instructions of their handlers and play their normal game.
“These girls have shown a lot of zeal from the beginning. So I do not doubt their determination. The best advice I have is that they should not underrate any team,’’ she said.
The former coach also recommended that foreign training tours should be organised for the girls, to expose those who would be featuring in the competition for the first time.
The coordinator of the Super Falcons, Henrietta Ukaigwe, also tasked the team to surpass the achievements of their predecessors.
According to her, getting to the final would create opportunities unimaginable for them.
“The Flamingoes in the last edition dropped at the quarter-finals. This time, I urge them to go all the way to the final because this would open doors for them in the world,’’ she said.
Ukaigwe,who commended the team, described them as hardworking, dedicated and with experienced coaches.
“They have been dedicated from the qualifiers and I know there would be training tours to prepare them ahead of the competition in September.
“I implore them to adhere to the rules of the game. If they can put all these into consideration with their unwavering focus, they would go a long way at the games,’’ she said.
The Nigeria Football Association’s Director of Competitions, Mohammed Sanusi, said the team should remain focused and disciplined.
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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