Sports
2014 NSF: Body Lobbies For Para-Soccer Inclusion
The Para-soccer
Federation of Nigeria (PFN) has advocated for the inclusion of the sport in the 19th National Sports Festival (NSF) scheduled for Calabar in 2014.
The Vice-President of the federation Mr. Theo Lawson told newsmen in Lagos that its inclusion would provide the popularity needed to promote the sport in the country.
“The NSF is the only major championship that brings the 36 states and Abuja together under the umbrella of a festival.
“So it will be a good opportunity to create awareness for para-soccer in the festival .
“Even if the sport is introduced in the festival as a demonstration sport in Calabar, people will have more knowledge about the sport.
“Its inclusion will also attract other physically challenged people to the sport and hence making them a worth while citizens,” he said.
According to Lawson, the sport is presently practised in only 16 of the 36 states of the federation.
He said that this had given opportunity to the players in the 16 states to engage themselves in sporting activities.
“Instead of being a liability to the society and their families, the players now have a means of taking care of their immediate needs,” he said.
On preparation for the Super-four para-soccer championship slated for October 5 at the Indoor Sports Hall, University of Lagos, Lawson said that everything was in place to ensure a hitch free competition.
He commended Promasidor Nigeria Ltd for sponsoring the competition since it began in 2007.
Lawson recalled that three teams in Nigeria and a team in Ghana would feature in the competition.
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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