Sports
HOS Cup: It’s Govt House, Special Duties For Final
Gabriel Nwanetanya, and Joy Teena, Chioma Nnodim
The Government House Football team, yesterday overcame their Ministry of Justice counterparts in the second semi final match of the 2013 Rivers State Civil Service Football competition tagged Head of Service, HOS, Cup.
In the match decided at the Sharks FC Stadium, the Government House team triumphed 3-2 via penalty shootout after regulation time had ended scoreless.
Now, the team will square up with the Ministry of Special Duties team, winner of the first semi final in the final match for the ultimate prize of the competition.
The Special Duties team had defeated Ministry of Sports by a lone goal in their semi final encounter last Monday.
Yesterday, both the Government House team and their Justice counterparts battled each other to standstill and could not be separated within normal time.
Both side demonstrated ample determination to make the final, as neither of them had reached the final stage in the competition’ five year history.
However, Ministry of Justices ambition was betrayed by the players poor penalty kicks, missing the first and third kicks to hard the finals ticket to the Government House team, who showed better composure and accuracy to convert their first three kicks.
Reacting to the victory, Government House’s team coach, Mr Adawari Ubani expressed joy at the historic victory. He noted that it would be the first time the team would be getting to the final of the competition in fire editions and promised to do his best to ensure that they win the trophy.
The Ministry of Sports and their Justice counterparts will now play for the third place crumbs tomorrow.
Meanwhile, elimination and qualifying series for the other sports events, athletics, 100 metre 200meter and 4×100 metres and thug of war were conducted began yesterday at the mainbowl of the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt.
The finals of the events come up next week during the grand finale of the civil service week celebrations.
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.