Sports
Rivers Wins Gold In Basketball
Men’s basketball defending champions, Team Rivers and hosts Team Lagos have emerged the men and women’s gold medallists, respectively, at the 18th National Sports Festival which ended yesterday.
Rivers successfully defended its men’s trophy by beating Team Oyo 60-31, while Lagos defeated defending champions, Rivers 61-34, to claim the women’s gold.
Rivers completely overwhelmed Oyo all through the match to claim the men’s gold, while Lagos completely routed Rivers to also win the women’s gold.
Team Rivers Coach, Fubura Oyenabor, in a post-match interview, said that his team really worked hard to defend its title, saying it was a well-deserved victory.
“I thank God for this victory. Basketball is very much alive in Rivers and we have just proved that we have the quality to achieve greatness.
“We look forward to developing more quality players in the sport,’’ he said.
Team Oyo coach, Adebayo Aderinboye, said that Rivers players had height advantage over his players, adding, however, that he was pleased with the silver medal.
“It was great game; we were completely overwhelmed. Team Rivers were better coordinated and made good use of their physical advantage.
“For us, the silver medal is still good because the last time we archieved this greatness in basketball was as far back as 1981. So it’s a great thing for us,’’ he said.
In the women’s category, Coach Adewunmi Aderemi of Team Lagos said that it was a great victory for him and his girls, because they were able to overcome Team Rivers.
“We are aware of what Team Rivers could do, so we refuse to allow them settle and play their game.
“I was confident of my girls and they did just what I wanted and we got the gold,’’ he said.
Caroline Biggs, Team Rivers’ women’s coach, said she was unable to clinch the gold because her best players were not allowed to play.
“Three of my best hands were not allowed to play; they were ruled out by the indigenisation laws guiding the festival,” Biggs said.
She, however, added that her team was contended with the silver, saying that the team was ready to reclaim its gold medal in Calabar in 2014.
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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