Sports
NPL Need New Lease Of Life
As the 2011/2012 Nigerian Premier League season wobbles to an end this weekend and bogged down by poor funding, absence of sponsors and poor spectators, some stakeholders have called on the managers to ensure new lease of life for the league next season.
In spite the plethora of problems, however, the Nigeria Premier League board is managing to run the season to conclusion, the situation which robbed the league of some glamour.
The vice chairman of Mastersports International, Mitchell Obi, yesterday said, “ the league could have a better lease of life.”
“We shall need a brand new league that should be able to have all the excitements, raise funds and rally spectators back to the stadiums,’’ he said.
However, a top official of the Board, noted that if all litigants currently in court over the title sponsorship of the league could withdraw such cases,it would pave way for an amicable settlement of the issue.
The board’s acting Executive Secretary, Tunji Babalola, who made the appeal during an interview with newsmen, noted; “The only way forward for all of us is for the litigants to withdraw the matter from the courts.
“We are appealing that to them to see the success of the league as uppermost in their minds.
“If the cases are withdrawn, we can sit down and resolve the issues amicably, without much ado, before the commencement of the 2012/2013 league season,’’ Babalola said.
Another administrator, Musa Amadu, the secretary, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), also urged the NPL to seek a peaceful resolution of the matter.
Amadu also commended the efforts of the NPL board in coordinating the league, in spite of the challenges of funding.
“This has been the most challenging season for the NPL and they have remained steadfast in their quest to ensure that the league becomes a success.
“In spite of this, the NPL has been rated as the best in Africa, but there is still room for improvements.
“There are more away victories, which is a new thing in the league; the quality of play has improved too, which is highly commendable; we hope next season will be better,’’ he said.
The General Manager of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, Mutiu Adepoju however, urged the NPL to put its house in order. He called for cohesion in the body.
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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