Sports
Nigeria, Heading For Best Olympics In London –Egbunike
Head Coach of Nigeria’s Athletic team to the upcoming 2012 London Olympic Games, Innocent Egbunike, has assured Nigerians of a memorable Olympic outing.
Egbunike, who gave the assurance in an interview with newsmen in Ikeja, yesterday, said, “We are aiming to have the best outing for the country’’.
He said the 31 athletes selected for the games were the best, having met the‘ A standard’ qualification for the games.
According to him, some of them have participated in many international meets to reach the standard.
“All you have to worry about is what you can do. You do not worry about anybody else, in track and field, looking at what somebody else has done, what they did, what they will do, will not matter.
“Till you line up with them and compete against them; if they are better than you at that moment, it’s only for that moment.
“We are going there at the fullness of our fitness, and by God’s grace we will give our best and hopefully our best will yield success but we are not going there to look at anybody else.
“Olympic Games is one competition, anything can happen because God knows best. The future belongs to God not any of us.
“No athlete goes to any championship to take second place, everybody goes to win, so that is the mindset and we are going to give our best and that is what matters.”
Egbunike noted that a lot still needed to be done in some areas, which he said, would be looked into within the next three weeks at Team Nigeria’s camp Surrey before the Games.
He expressed his pleasure at the team, noting that the team’s performance at the just-concluded 18th Africa Athletics Championship was an indication that Nigeria was prepared to do the country proud.
“We have to be honest with ourselves, Blessing is one blessed individual, she has so much talent, she has done so much for Nigeria so far and she has much to do for Nigeria.
“And I believe that she is one of the best in the world. We have to keep in mind this championships in Benin; that these athletes finished the Olympics trials. I do not care how good you are.
“You cannot go from one championship to another; these are human beings.
The body at times needs recovery and you start building a backup.
“So, for each of them that did what they did at the African championships, for them to accomplish to what they did, to me was great, was a blessing.
“ Because they competed at a time their body was saying “I need a break; I need rest.”
Egbunike urged Nigerians to pray for the success of the team at the London Games which are scheduled to hold from July 27 to August 12.
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.