Sports
Ex-Director Urges Funding Of Wrestling
Jackson Bidei, has said that wrestling now requires a lot of funds, thereby, making its development in the state difficult.
Bidei told Tidesports in Lagos that in the absence of sponsorship, the process of discovering and nurturing talents was unwieldy.
He noted that the problem was not peculiar to the state alone, adding that the sport required huge financial commitment for athletes to excel.
“Wrestling used to be so good but today the system has been highly monetised and this is so because most wrestlers discovered are after money.
“Back then, traditional wrestlers fought for pride and not money and it’s often from traditional wrestling we convert them to conventional wrestlers.
“Nevertheless, this problem is nationwide and not specific to Bayelsa and it has made the development of the sport more difficult because you need sponsorship to excel,” he said.
Bidei, however, said that the state was doing well in terms of developing the sport but noted that competitions were instrumental in evaluating performance.
He added that the state had enormous talents who possessed the potential of becoming world beaters if they were well groomed.
“The state is doing well at the moment from what I can see and from the structure we were able to put in place before we left office.
“However, when it comes to evaluating your progress and performance it is largely from the number of competitions that have been able to put together.
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.