Sports
Kickboxing Coach Harps On Sponsorship Drive
Coach Cletus Okagbe of the
Kickboxing Federation of Nigeria (KBFN), has urged the newly-inaugurated board of the federation to embark on an aggressive sponsorship drive, to reposition the sport.
Okagbe told newsmen in Lagos that lack of sponsors remained the major challenge to the development of the sport in the country.
“There is need to ensure that KBFN’s national and international annual programmes are accomplished and this can only be realised with the availability of funds.
“I believe with the new board, there will be lots of positive developments in kickboxing generally, because athletes will be engaged in a series of competitions.
“Engaging in a series of national and international competitions will enable the athletes to improve their skills.
“So, the new board must all go out for massive sponsorship support to ensure a transformation for both the athletes and officials,’’ he said.
Okagbe said that it was very important to ensure that technical officials attended international refresher courses to assist them in upgrading their technical competencies.
“Our technical officials must be able to stand with their colleagues out there, in terms of having current knowledge and latest developments through regular attendance of international refresher courses,’’ he added.
The coach, who expressed confidence in the skills of national athletes, said he believed that with adequate training, the athletes would be able to prove their worth in national and international contests.
“Kickboxing has 34 weight categories and athletes must be given the opportunity to represent themselves in these weight categories by giving them adequate background exposure to enable them to excel,’’ Okagbe said.
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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