Sports
NRA Promises Better Officiating In 2014 League
The Nigeria Referees As
sociation (NRA) has said that it was confident that the level of officiating in the forthcoming 2013/2014 league season would be of a higher standard.
The NRA’s Chairman, Ahmed Maude, told Tidesports at the commencement of the 2013 Referees’ Coopers Test that since the commencement of the programme officiating had improved.
The 2013 edition of the test commenced on November 4 in Abuja and would be concluded today.
It had become the practice of the NRA to hold a pre-season fitness test for its referees to ascertain their fitness level ahead of a new season.
“I am optimistic that we will have a better football season in terms of officiating because of the way the cooper test has been helping us.
“Ever since we started taking our referees through fitness tests ahead of the new season, officiating of our referees in the various tiers of the league is getting better.
“And with the sanction we have in place about those that fail, who will be relegated to a lower tier of the league, they have been trying in their own way to live up to expectation.
“So, I believe that the football season we are looking forward to will be better than the ones we have had in the previous seasons,’’ he said.
The 2013 test which includes both medical and physical exercise is featuring about 300 referees from the six geo-political zones.
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.