Sports
Jordaan Eyes CAF Committee Seat
South Africa’s 2010 World Cup chief Danny Jordaan, has made another bid this weekend for a major post.
Jordaan is a candidate for a place on the Confederation of African Football’s executive committee at yesterday’s congress in Marrakech, Morocco.
“I think I have a good chance but it is the congress who must decide,” he said.
It is his second attempt to get a place in African football’s inner cabinet after a trouncing two years ago at a previous election in Sudan.
He also failed to win one of the places reserved for Africa on the Fifa executive committee, withdrawing his candidacy at the last minute in political horse trading that looked to backfire on him.
“I think I have a good chance but it is the congress who must decide”
Last year, Jordaan gave up a bid for the presidency of the southern African regional body Cosafa in a further blow to his image.
But the 61-year-old has a stronger chance this time after a decision to award an extra place on the committee to a southern African representative.
The elections are the only major business on the congress agenda and will see Caf president Issa Hayatou returned unopposed for another four-year term.
An attempt by his rival Jacques Anouma to overturn a decision to disqualify non-executive committee members from the election was rejected earlier this week by the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Former Fifa member Amadou Diakite of Mali, banned for two years in November 2010 by world football’s governing body over allegations of bribery in the vote-buying scandal surrounding the bids for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, is also standing for a place on the Caf executive committee.
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.