Sports
NFSC Demands Yekini’s Immortalisation …As Ogun Donates N2m
The Chairman, Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC), Yisau Olatunde, has called on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to immortalise the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola and the late Rashidi Yekini.
Olatunde made the call in Ibadan in an interview with newsmen on the sidelines of a novelty match to mark the 40-day Fidau prayer for the late Yekini.
Olatunde, who also urged ex-Super Eagles players to come together to honour Abiola and Yekini, noted that both men had contributed immensely to the growth of football in Nigeria.
The chairman said that great sports administrators like the late Abiola, the Pillar of Sports in Africa, should not be forgotten by CAF for his immense contributions to football and the organisation.
He added that great footballer such as Yekini should not also be forgotten by CAF and the Super Eagles for his superb soccer display that had attracted many youths to football.
According to him, the issue of immortalising Abiola, the acclaimed winner of June 12, 1993 election, has been greatly politicised.
He said that Abiola deserved a federal sports complex to be named after him in Nigeria, to further buttress his contributions to the growth of football in particular and sports generally.
The chairman added that the Federal Government should also accord similar honour to other late sportsmen such as Sam Okwaraji.
He said Yekini and Okwaraji left a legacy of honouring national calls without gratification, adding that they were gentlemen to the core.
The chairman said that the late Yekini had on several occasions donated to the growth of the Supporters Club.
“He will be missed a lot. We members of the Supporters Club sympathise with his family while we also prayed that God gives them the fortitude to bear the loss,” Olatunde said.
According to him, the NFSC will institute scholarship fund for Yekini’s children and will also honour him with a posthumous award during the next GLO CAF awards.
Mr Gboyega Okegbenro, General Manager, Gateway Football Club, at the event donated N2 million to the family of the late Yekini on behalf of the Ogun government.
“Rashidi represents a major loss to us and Nigeria as a whole,’’ Okegbenro said.
The match played at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, ended 1-0 in favour of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan against Gateway FC of Abeokuta.
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.