Sports
Sacred Heart’s CMO Group Two Leads Football Competition
Men’s Group Three football team of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Diobu, Port Harcourt at the weekend defeated their Group Four counterpart 3-0 in the ongoing Catholic Men Organisation (CMO) soccer competition of the church at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt field.
The match, which started behind schedule due to late arrival of players from both sides saw group three FC display impressive skills on the ball.
The Group Three team converted their early chances to go two goals up in the first half.
On resumption in the second half, Group Four made spirited efforts to reduce the tally but their opponents nullified the threats, only to increase the lead to three before the final whistle.
In the second match of the day, Group Two defeated Group One 4-0 to pick the points at stake.
The match which was described by fans as the match of the day was more exciting and enterprising as players of both teams displayed palpable determination and hunger to score goals.
However, Group Two proved that they were more experienced as their attackers terrorised the goal area of Group One. The efforts yielded three goals for Group Two in the first half.
In the second half, Group Two increased the tally to four. In an interview with The Tidesports immediately after the match, chairman of Sports Committee of the Church, Anyanwu Vincent said that Group Two FC was topping the league table with six points from two matches, while Group Three picked three points from two matches so far played, whereas Group Four FC was yet to get a point.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Catholic Men Organisation (CMO) of Sacred Heart Parish, Chief Mathew Okwu said that the soccer competition among the groups in the CMO was part of the programmes to mark the feast of St Joseph in August this year.
He said that the objective of the soccer competition was to ensure physical fitness and mental alertness among the CMO of the church and appealed to the players and supporters to always demonstrate the spirit to sportsmanship throughout the competition.
Isaac Nwankwo
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.