Sports
Okala, Okagbue Mourn Achebe
Former goalkeeper of Green Eagles, Emmanuel Okala and former coach of Cranes of Uganda, Harrison Okagbue have joined other soccer lovers in mourning the late Philip Achebe, popularly called “Mr Football.’’
Achebe, three-time Secretary-General of the then Nigeria Football Association (NFA), died on March 9 in the U.S., aged 83.
He will be buried on Friday in his home town, Ogidi in Anambra.
Okala, who spoke to newsmen in Awka, described Achebe as an encyclopaedia of Nigerian football.
He said Achebe had contributed his quota to the development of football in the old Anambra and Nigeria as a whole as the secretary-general of NFA.
He noted that Achebe was associated with the country’s victories in the 1970s and 1980s, particularly the second All Africa Games in 1973 in Lagos where Nigeria won the football gold medal.
“Achebe tried his best, he was well respected, and he travelled far and wide in pursuit of excellence in Nigerian football.
“He helped Nigeria in the successes we had in those days more particularly during the second All Africa Games, where we won gold in 1973.
“We shall miss a lot in such an encyclopaedia of Nigerian football.
“He has gone to join his ancestors, it is so painful, but it is the will of God that must prevail and what can we do?”
He expressed the hope that both the Federal and Anambra Governments would give him a befitting burial and immortalise him.
Also, Okagbue lamented Achebe’s death, saying he would forever be missed in Nigerian football circle.
Okagbue, who also coached Udoji United FC Awka and El Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri, said the late administrator knew football very well.
He said Achebe contributed immensely to the exploits of Enugu-based club, Rangers International, noting that his demise remained a “huge blow.’’
“He was administratively in-charge of Rangers International; it was during his reign that laurels were won by Rangers.
“People admired him, and he was good everywhere, physically fit all the time, mentally alert and he could advise well.
“It baffles me that Nigeria failed to send people to understudy seasoned people like POC Achebe.
“If somebody had understudied him and got three quarters of what he knew, Nigerian football situation would not have been as it is.
“But nobody is around to take up from where he stopped, Nigeria should develop a culture of understudying people who are good so that there could be continuity, we will miss POC,” Okagbue said.
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.
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