Sports
Abula Coach Plans National Team
The newly appointed
National coach of Abula (traditional sport), Paul Asaah, has said that plans are underway to make the team a national team after the forthcoming 19th National Sports Festival scheduled to hold in Calabar, Cross River State this year.
Coach Asaah stated this at the weekend in an interview with Tidesports at the Alfred Diette Spiff Sports Complex, Port Harcourt.
He also explained that the national team would include quality and dedicated players across the Federation who are capable of representing the country adequately when the next Olympics games gets under way.
According to him, the arrangement is to ensure the continued that he has that the sports is spread across the ECOWAS countries in order to create more awareness on the game, adding that this would go along way to rooting the sport in the African communities while it can now spread to the Western World.
He, also, promised to create awareness of the sport through internet as to enable interested individuals understand the requirements of playing or officiating in the sport.
It would be recalled that coach Asaah of Rivers State Abula was appointed the national coach and member of board committee on December, 6, atAbula in 2013, by the Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdulahi, in Abuja.
Assah, disclosed that since ‘Imo 98’ Rivers State has won all medals and gold trophies at stake in the sport and also won the trophy for keeps.
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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