Sports
Abuja Stadium Ready, June
The Abuja National Stadium will be ready in June for the Super Eagles to use for their 2014 World Cup qualifying matches.
The Special Assistant to Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, the Sports Minister and Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Julius Ogunro, disclosed this yesterday in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Ogunro said the ongoing rehabilitation work on the football pitch by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc was expected to be completed and handed over to government by the end of May.
The Super Eagles will play their next match against the Harambee Stars of Kenya in the existing round of qualifiers on March 22, while the return-leg will take place on June 7 in Nairobi.
The Eagles will also play another away game against the Brave Warriors of Namibia on June 14.
Nigeria is leading Group F with four points from two matches, while Namibia with three points is second.
Malawi is third in the Group with two points, while Kenya is last with one point.
Ogunro, however, explained that the stadium would be ready for the Super Eagles return-leg World Cup qualifying encounter against the Flames of Malawi on September 6, “all things being equal”.
“You can see that work is going on smoothly and hopefully it will be ready for use in late May or early June.
“The planting of the grass will be done in February and it will take additional three months to be nurtured to standard,” Ogunro said.
The minister of Sports, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, had said in December 2012 that the rehabilitation of the stadium would begin in the New Year.
He said the relocation of the office of the Minister of Sports to the stadium complex necessitated the renovation, and that President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to the stadium in September 2012 facilitated the process.
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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