Sports
Nigerian Teams Qualify For Handball Challenge Final
Two national teams at the ongoing IHF Challenge tournament in Ghana have qualified for the finals of the competition, an official of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) has said.
President of HFN, Dauda Yusuf, made the disclosure in a telephone interview with The Tidesports source on Friday in Lagos.
He expressed delight over the performance of the national team players, describing them as “competent future stars and good ambassadors.
“I am proud and happy to be identified with the boys and girls because even at this stage, they have exhibited potential that Nigerians can be proud of,’’ Yusuf said.
The president said he was optimistic that the teams would maintain their distinctive performance to the end of the tournament by winning the trophy.
HFN’s Technical Director, Musa Hamza, said the Nigerian male team defeated their Ghanaian counterparts, 29-24, while the female team out-played their Niger Republic opponents, 30-7 to move into the finals.
Hamza said that the Nigerian side would meet their Beninois counterparts in the finals in both categories.
According to him, the national teams’ performances have been outstanding, making handball fans and indeed, Nigerians resident in Ghana to applaud them.
“The hall was always full to the brim, whenever the Nigerian teams were playing. This is because they followed their progress with keen interest,’’ he stated.
The technical director, urged Nigerians to pray for the teams as they play in the finals.
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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