Sports
Flying Eagles Eye AYC Title
The Nigeria Football Association (NFA) yesterday said it would ensure that the Flying Eagles retained the forthcoming African Youth Championship trophy billed for Algeria in March.
The Chairman, NFA Media and Publicity Committee, Chief Emeka Inyama, made this known to newsmen in Abuja.
According to him, the Flying Eagles have been in camp for the past one month and have played series of friendly matches to prepare them for the competition.
“The NFF is resolutely committed to the Flying Eagles retaining the African Youth Championship which we won in South Africa in 2011, when hostilities commence in Algeria on March 16.
“You are of course aware that the Flying Eagles have been in camp for the past one month and have played a number of friendly matches and the team is now back in Abuja,’’ he added.
Inyama said that the Flying Eagles would play a friendly match against its Benin Republic U-20 counterparts on Saturday in Abuja.
He said that the team would depart for Cairo where it would play a series of friendly matches.
“NFA has arranged for the team to play two friendly matches against Algeria and Egypt on February 20 and February 22, respectively before moving to Tunisia for the final phase of its preparation.
He stressed that the Flying Eagles had been adequately prepared to defend the trophy and to also qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey.
The chairman added that the team had been slated to play at the world-famous Toulon International Tournament in France coming up in May to prepare them for the world Cup in June.
Commenting on the U-17 national team, Golden Eaglets, he said they were the future of the senior team, adding that the association was taking their priorities very seriously.
Inyama said that the Eaglet would play two friendly matches against its Botswana counterparts in Calabar on March 3 and 5.
According to him, Botswana is in Group A of the African U-17 championship, which will hold in Morocco on April 13 to 27.
He said that the team would proceed to Aspire Academy for sports excellence in Qatar for a three week final training camp before flying into Morocco for the continental showpiece.
“We believe the Eaglets will not only qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in United Arab Emirates in October/November but also win the competition in Morocco.’’
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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