Sports
NYG Throws Up 370 Talents – Minister
The Minister of Sports, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, has said that the just-concluded National Youth Games (NYG) in Abuja has thrown up about 370 talents.
Abdullahi said this while declaring the 9-day Games which had 31 states and the FCT in attendance, closed on Saturday.
A member of the Talent Discovery Committee for the Games, Brown Ebewele had said on Friday that about 204 potential athletes were discovered at the fiesta.
Ebewele, however, said the number could increase at the end of the Games.
According to Abdullahi, the absence of Lagos, Jigawa, Ekiti, Edo and Zamfara, did not take away the shine from the Games.
He, however, commended the states that took part in the games, especially Yobe and Borno, for their participation, in spite of the security challenges in the zone.
Abdullahi noted that the participation of both states was an indication that the nation’s youths had a passion for sports.
He urged the athletes not to relent in their efforts to further develop themselves after their successful participation at the Games.
The minister said that the athletes could have the opportunity to represent the country in future international championships.
“‘This shows that you can truly win in the future, not just for yourselves, but for the nation,” he said.
The minister commended the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for staging a successful Games.
31 states and their athletes took part in the march past that marked the end of the games, which had about 4,000 athletes and officials.
The week-long event, which began on December 6 with an opening ceremony, ended yesterday with the departure of the contingents from the athletes camps located in Kubwa, Sauka and Wuse.
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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