Sports
Focus On Talent Discovery, Kick Boxer Advises Festival Organisers
A gold medalist at the World Kickboxing Championships in New York Loveth-Patra Ekufu, has urged the organisers of the 18th National Sports Festival to focus on its objective of talent identification.
Ekufu, who fought in the female 50kg category, sponsored herself to the world championships which held in March 2011.
She had at the 2006 National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, tagged “Gateway Games” won a gold medal in the -48Kg category.
She told newsmen in Lagos that it was important to win medals but the purpose of the festival which is talent discovery must be given its appropriate place.
The Delta state-born Ekufu said that participating to win at all cost was derailing the goals of the competition which are to discover talents and promote the unity of the country.
“The important thing is to identify talents at the grassroots, we must not allow winning of medal to take precedence over the progress of sports,’’ she said.
According to her, kickboxing is a growing sport that has potential to develop youth and as such athletes involved in it should be encouraged to make careers in the martial art.
She appealed to state associations and federation to use the opportunity offered by the festival to look for talents that would be groomed to stardom.
“Athletes are keen on exhibiting their talents during the festival, so I advise state associations and the national body to key into this occasion and discover talents,’’ she said.
Ekufu also advised athletes who would participate in the festival not to be aggressive but endeavour to show their skills.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) should support the federation to ensure that talents who would be discovered were not left to their faith by organising follow-up programmes, she said.
She also called on technical officials to adhere strictly to the rules in their officiating at the Games to enhance the effort to discover talent.
A three-day refresher course was organised in October by the NKF where the officials were acquainted with the new rules of the sport.
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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