Sports
Club President Canvasses Support For All
The President of the Veteran Handball Team, Abuja, Mark Jacob, has urged the government to also give priority and attention to the development of other sports and not football alone.
Jacob told newsmen in Abuja that for effective changes in sports generally, the government should diversify to other sports.
“Government should diversify the budget on football. The budget on football alone is like 15 times higher than what any other sports get in this country.
“If government is serious about building sports generally in the country, over concentration of attention and high budgetary allocation to football should stop.
“If government gives handball one tenth of what it gives football, we can organise championship at all levels and will also be able to identify players that can make Nigeria proud,” he said.
He said that private and public organisations declined to sponsor events in handball because no benefit would accrue to such organisations, stressing that it was constant competitions that can attract sponsorship.
The president noted that handball players in the country were ageing out and that there was no programme on ground to replace them with younger ones.
According to him, Nigeria failed to qualify for the London 2012 Olympics in July because there are no young and talented players that could guarantee qualification for the country.
The president blamed the Handball Federation of Nigeria for its inability to replace old players with new talented ones.
“If the present players were old, who is supposed to get the younger ones? It is the responsibility of the federation to get younger players and to know where to identify them.
“Why is basketball having younger players, why is football having younger players? This is because the coaches and the federations in charge have talents hunt programmes.’’
He urged the handball federation to map out developmental programmes aimed at replacing the ageing players with new talented ones.
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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