Sports
Toure To Leave City, This Season
Manchester City defender Kolo Toure says he will leave the club at the end of the season, but is hopeful of remaining in England.
Toure, who joined City from Arsenal in 2009, has found opportunities limited under Roberto Mancini in recent seasons.
Having not been offered a new contract, the Ivory Coast defender will soon be seeking a new club.
The 32-year-old said, “I have been here for nearly four years, and two fantastic years when I have been playing a lot and I hear my songs with (brother) Yaya and I will miss those things.
“For me my family is here, my kids are at school and they like the area, but in two months nothing has come from the club and I am thinking about my future definitely.
“My first choice is this country, as I like English football, that is why I began playing football.
“After Cote d’Ivoire I came here, I don’t know any other culture and it is important for me to stay here, I have been here for ten years.”
Toure also commented on newly crowned English Premier League champions Manchester United, admitting Alex Ferguson’s men deserved their success this season.
“They have been more consistent, more concentrated and I think we lost a bit of motivation and determination and that cost us the title,” he said.
“I think City need to start from the first game to the end of the season and try and be focused, like we were last season, every game, as the Premier League is so hard, you can beat Chelsea and then lose against Wigan and those games are key.”
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.