Sports
Adamu Canvasses Awareness For Beach Soccer
Managing Director, Kinetic Sports, Samson Adamu, organisers of the recently-concluded COPA Lagos Beach Soccer Tournament, has said that the event could only grow through more viable partnerships. Adamu made the remark during an interview with newsmen in Lagos.
He stressed that organising an international tournament of the magnitude of COPA Lagos required huge sums of money, which, according to him, were not easy to come by. “Because I can tell you, based on my experience with COPA Lagos that it’s not a one man thing; the more sponsors you have the better and the merrier,’’ Adamu said.
When asked about his views on the creation of a Beach soccer league in the country, he said that he was not in a position to spearhead such a campaign. Adamu added that the Beach soccer league concept was still in the realm of speculation.
“I can only speak for COPA Lagos and Kinetic Sports, but in terms of the proposed league, I have only heard about it just like any other person. “If at all there is a plan for a Beach soccer league, there is need to generate more interest before we talk about creating a league.
“There is need for a followership and supporters for any league to thrive. “And to do that, you need to work on the awareness to build a followership and to build the support base,’’ Adamu said. He went on to say that for such a league to thrive, a massive Public/Private sponsorship had to be in place for its successful take-off.
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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