Sports
Para-Athlete Flays 2012 Paralympic Games Preparations
A para-athlete, Femi Alabi, has criticised Nigeria’s preparations for the London 2012 Paralympic Games scheduled for August 29 to September 9.
Alabi, a gold medallist at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, told newsmen that no adequate preparation had been made for the 2012 edition.
“We’re not preparing as well as we should, because by now we are supposed to be in a camp where we have no distractions and be training intensively.
“We are only training on our own now to remain fit, instead of being on training tours to aid our performance,” the table tennis champion said.
The Paralympian explained that the major challenges being faced by Nigerian para-athletes were funding, lack of equipment and training facilities.
He claimed that no funds had yet been received by the national federations from the National Sports Commission (NSC) to provide necessary logistics for the camping of para-athletes.
“Para-athletes have been training on their own because they want to make a name for themselves.
“We para-athletes should have special training facilities that will cater for our different indoor sports so as to eliminate the constant disturbance from the able-bodied athletes.
“The sharing of training facilities with able-bodied athletes has been a challenge and has reduced the pace of training,” Alabi said.
Alabi won two gold medals at the 2012 Paralympic qualifiers in Egypt and four gold medals at the 2011 All-Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique.
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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