Sports
NFF Lifts Ban On Ado-Ekiti Stadium
The Emergency Commit
tee of the Nigeria Football Federations (NFF) has lifted the ban placed on Ado-Ekiti Township Stadium after its meeting in Abuja.
A statement signed by the Media Officer of the NFA, Ademola Olajire, said the decision to lift the ban followed a special appeal by the Ekiti State Football Association and other stakeholders in the state.
The Disciplinary Committee of the NFA had placed a ban on the stadium following disturbances during a Nigeria National League (NNL) match between Fountain FC of Ekiti and Prime of Osogbo.
The statement said the decision was taken in the interest of football and the teeming youths of Ekiti State who should not be denied access to the playing facility due to no fault of theirs.
It said the NFA President, Aminu Maigari, Vice-President, Mike Umeh, and five members of the Executive Committee were present at the meeting where the decision was taken.
The statement said that the decision was in line with Article 41 of the NFA statutes.
According to the statutes, an emergency committee shall deal with all matters requiring immediate settlement between two meetings of the Executive Committee.
The committee shall consist of the President of NFA and five members chosen from the Executive Committee for a period of two years.
The statement also said that the committee had dissolved the Forum of Zonal Coordinators.
It quoted the Chairman of the NFA Media and Publicity Committee, Emeka Inyama, as saying that the dissolution was with immediate effect, adding that it would be reconstituted soon.
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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