Sports
Stakeholders Seek Return Of Baseball, Softball To NSF
Fans of Baseball and Softball say they will institute a democratic leadership and return to the mainstream of sports in Nigeria by affiliating with the National Sports Commission (NSC).
This was part of the decisions reached last week at the Baseball and Softball Summit 2013 held at the Kwara Stadium, Ilorin.
The brainstorming session, which had six outlined objectives, lasted about three hours with submissions from stakeholders across the federation.
The objectives of the summit according to the sponsor and Chairman of Kwara Baseball and Softball Association, Alhaji Jani Ibrahim, included getting the game back to the National Sports Festival.
This, he said, was to achieve a democratic baseball and softball federation to attract the requisite government support and drive sponsorship.
Other reasons, he said, were to enroll committed persons from states to lead baseball and softball in a democratic way and to propagate an all-year-round active baseball and softball activities.
Delivering Ibrahim’s message at the Summit, his representative, Raphael Farounbi, said the gathering was to brainstorm on how to move baseball and softball forward in Nigeria.
He said that state leagues and associations were not active, adding that the leadership of the sport was for all.
The lecturer at the summit an ex-baseball player, Olajide Fashikun, said baseball and softball had a firm root in Nigeria and charged the stakeholders to belong to a progressive family.
He advocated for a baseball league, saying Ghana and Uganda had overtaken Nigeria because they had good organisational ability.
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.