Sports
Jonathan To Reinvigorate Sports, Charges Eagles To Beat Liberia
President Goodluck Jonathan was at the Abuja National Stadium on Wednesday to watch the Super Eagles’ evening training session as they prepared for tomorrow’s Nations Cup qualifier against Liberia in Monrovia.
Addressing the players shortly after their training, the President decried the poor state of infrastructure at the stadium.
He said he was not happy that the edifice was not properly maintained as it had been overgrown with weeds.
Jonathan ordered the management of the stadium, to immediately correct the anomaly and put the edifice in its proper state.
He urged Super Eagles players to work towards success in Monrovia.
The national team is billed to slug it out with Liberia in a qualifying match for the 2013 African Nations Cup in South Africa.
The president said that sports hold a strategic position in his administration’s agenda and promised that he would re-invigorate the sector.
He recalled that earlier in the day he set up a special committee at the Federal Executive Council meeting to look at how the lost glory of the nation’s sports could be restored.
Jonathan called for a re-enactment of the Atlanta 1996 Olympics Game, during which Nigeria won some medals, and expressed the belief that the country could regain its lost glory in sports.
Jonathan was accompanied by Vice President Namadi Sambo and Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers.
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.