Sports
Plateau Emerges Champions At Pasta Marathon
Plateau athletes
emerged the male and PH female champions at the maiden one-day national half marathon race organised by Power Pasta in Port Harcourt over the weekend.
Gideon Goyet finished the race in set, 10 set, 0.85 secs, while Deborah Padu finished in 1hr, 23 mins, 22.20 secs, to win the men and women’s events, respectively.
Emmanuel Gyang and Shehu Muazu, also from Plateau, emerged the second and third best finishers in the male category.
In the female category, Elizabeth Nugu from Nasarawa and Pereia Bukola from Lagos emerged second and third, respectively.
Mr Barisi Wifa, the Publicity Secretary, Rivers Sports Council, presented cheques of N1 million each, to winners of the male and female events.
The runners-up in the male and female categories received N500,000 each, while third-place finishers in the male and female categories received N200,000 each.
Wifa added that those who finished in the fourth position to the 20th position in the two categories, would smile home with consolation prizes of N10,000 to N20,000 each.
Earlier, the Rivers Commissioner for Sports, Mr Fred Igwe, while flagging off the race, thanked Power Pasta for making Port Harcourt the host city.
Igwe noted that Port Harcourt was becoming a popular destination for all kinds of sports events.
Also speaking, the representative of Power Pasta, Mr Checker Karan, wished the participants luck as they pursued their careers in the future.
Karan, who was also the coordinator of the race, described the marathon as a conduit through which talents would be discovered for international events.
Gyang, who emerged second in the male category, dedicated his success to his parents.
He said his determination to take Nigeria to places would be manifested at the upcoming Obudu mountain race.
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.