Sports
Association Wants Federation To Promote Weighlifting
Head Coach, Rivers Weightlifting Association (RSWA) Reginald Briggs, has urged the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF) to lure the media to attract adequate promotion and sponsorships to the sport.
Briggs, who made the call in a telephone interview with Tidesports, said that the power of the media should not be underrated.
“The media is a force to be reckoned with in a time like this when the sport needs both the public and private sectors’ to support its promotion drive.
“As we plan all our activities, we need to take the media seriously to create the publicity which would attract philanthropists’ attention to sponsor the sport,’’ he said.
Briggs urged the NWF to ensure that sufficient publicity was given to its programmes, even at the state level.
According to him, lack of sponsorship has always been a major challenge preventing the federation from executing its yearly programmes.
The coach also urged the federation to ensure that state associations come up with laudable yearly programmes and should also monitor them to ensure their proper execution.
“Close monitoring will make the associations to be up and doing and this will also help the sport to develop at all levels,“ he said.
According to Briggs, proper monitoring would also create effective competition among the various associations because each would want to deliver more than the others.
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.