Sports
Crowd Violence: Stakeholder Canvasses Fans’ Education
A football analyst, Mr Bayour Issah, on Tuesday advised the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) and clubs to educate fans against pitch encroachment during league matches.
Issah, who gave the advice in Ilorin in an interview the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), lamented the high rate of crowd violence in the ongoing 2011/2012 Nigeria Premier League (NPL).
According to him, a lack of understanding of the rules and regulations that govern soccer in the world is a major factor that leads to crowd violence in Nigeria’s apex league.
“Basically, most of the spectators do not understand the rules of the game and if you and I do not understand the ethics of football, how do you know when a referee defaults.
“These are some of the teething problems that must be solved in recent time.
“Fans need some enlightenment and education indeed, because when you do not know the rules, how do you support a team?” the analyst said.
He claimed that there are 17 laws of the game and the 18th law “is the discretion of the referee”.
“How many of us know the rules, even those that went through the four walls of the university?
“The problem is application. You cannot challenge a judge who sends a criminal to prison after all appeal, because he knows why.
“So, if a referee punishes a player for an offence, fans should not start reacting,” he said.
Issah explained that there might be one or two errors by a referee and urged fans to be patient in expressing their grievances.
It will be recalled that Gombe United had, after their week 30 match in Ijebu-Ode against their hosts Sunshine Stars FC of Akure, complained of crowd violence.
Gombe appealed to the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) to take immediate action to forestall crowd violence for the overall interest and development of the league.
The club said that a situation where visiting teams approached games with fear of brutality would not augur well for the competition.
Also, Enyimba FC of Aba complained to the NPL on how they were allegedly beaten during pitch encroachment at Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa, after their Week 26 match with Ocean Boys.
It was also the same experience in Ilorin in the Week 12 between Kwara United FC and Sunshine which led to the game being abandoned in 81st minute.
A re-scheduled Week 28 match between Sunshine and visiting 3SC of Ibadan was also put to a halt for 10 minutes in Ijebu-Ode because of crowd violence.
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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