Sports
Igbo Clan Wins Onye-Ishi Etche Traditional Wrestling Contest
This year’s Onye-Ishi
Etche Traditional Wrestling Competition among clans in Etche Local Government Area, Rivers State has ended last Friday with Onyedikachi Okere from Igbo clan emerging champion.
Also, Emeka Egbegbu from Mba Clan came second while Ubaneze Nwafor from Ulakwo/Umuselem clan won the third position.
Speaking earlier while declaring the event open, His Royal Emminence, Eze Emmanuel N.B. Opurum said the competition was organised to mark the closing ceremony of 2013 new yam festival among communities in the local government area.
Eze Opurum advocated for the inclusion of cultural education in the school curriculum at all levels in the country.
He said that the call has become necessary because the impact of cultural education in communities today was minimal.
Describing new yam festival as cultural heritage of Etche people, the traditional ruler noted that the area attaches great importance to the event as predominant farmers.
“Each year at this time, every community celebrates annual new yam festival. For over one month, the festival has been on. It is an occasion when Etche farmers harvest the first yield of their yam.
“They do not eat it alone but invite their inlaws, friend and relations to pose with his buoyant yield and also eat it together with the family”, Opurum remarked.
The monarch lauded the people for upholding their cultural heritage while thanking the Cultural Officer, Charles Nweke for the high level of handling cultural and traditional matters in Etcheland.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Etche Local Government Area, Barrister Reginald Ukwuoma promised to continue to sponsor programmes that promote the cultural heritage of the people.
Presenting the cash prize of N50,000, N30,000, and N20,000 respectively to the winners, His Royal Majesty, Eze M.O. Ojiegbu Omu II of Omuma lauded participants for exhibiting the spirit of sportsmanship during the competition.
In the same vein, the Chairman of the occasion Eze Ken Nwala, Ugo I of Etcheland also presented the sum of N30,000 N20,000 and N15,000 to the winners of the competition.
Isaac Nwankwo
Wrestlers battling for honours during a national event in Port Harcourt, recently
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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