Sports
Alli Calls For Camps For Eko 2012 Talents
A 1990 Auckland, New Zealand Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Yusuf Alli, appealed to government to organise camps for athletes discovered at the 18th National Sports Festival in Lagos.
The festival, tagged “Eko 2012,” which held between November 27 and Dec. 9, was won by Delta with A total medal haul of 116 gold, 99 silver and 75.
Rivers was second with 76 gold medals, 71 silver and 70 bronze totalling 217, while hosts, Lagos State, placed third with 64 gold, 47 silver and 71 bronze, totalling 182 medals.
Alli, reputed for long jump, told newsmen in Lagos that organising camps for the talents was the only way to develop them.
He said that one of the factors that contributed to Nigeria’s excellent performances in the 1980s was discovering, nurturing and encouraging new talents.
“The same system that discovered the Mary Onyalis, the Yusuf Allis still exists, if the government will do the right thing for these athletes.
“Others that have been discovered in the past, where are they now?
“In our era, after athletes were discovered, they were kept in camps and trained by American coaches. We had different camps in Lagos, Ife, etc,’’ he recalled.
Alli noted that at least two or three athletes discovered should be assigned to a coach, to ensure that they were nurtured to stardom.
Alli He said that the essence of the National Sports Festival would not be realised if states did not bring raw athletes to the biennial event.
“Most states have stopped training athletes, all they do is to buy them over. Now that the festival may be made open, every state will now have to train its athletes.
“If other states can emulate Lagos State, the objective of the Games which is talent discovery and promoting unity could be achieved again,’’ he added.
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.
-
News1 day agoPolice Arrest Nigerian, Two Others For Kidnapping In Edo
-
Business16 hours agoNigeria, AFC sign $1.3 billion deal to build alumina refinery
-
Rivers16 hours agoKENPOLY Rector Promises To Prioritise Students’ Welfare
-
Business16 hours agoNERC Amends Order on Meter Tampering, Power Bypass For Discos
-
Nation1 day agoPerm Sec Explains Success Of FGM Elimination Programme In Rivers
-
News1 day agoNDLEA Arrests Ex-Councillor With 40kg Skunk, Recovers Drugs In Diapers
-
Rivers16 hours agoDon, Stakeholders Urge Environmental Laws In N’Delta
-
Rivers16 hours agoADIAFRICA Flags-off Free Eye Screening Outreach In PH