Sports
Onyali Urges Athletes To Target Gold At Commonwealth Game
An Olympian, Mary
Onyali-Omagbemi, has charged the country’s athletes to strive to surpass the previous performances at the Commonwealth Games in the 2014 edition in Scotland.
Onyali-Omagbemi told newsmen in Lagos that the federations were gearing up for the Games in Glasgow from July 23 to August 3.
The former national sprinter said that the athletes were expected to prepare adequately to achieve the common target of winning medals.
“The federations are in preparatory mode and gearing up for the athletes to perform creditably in the competition.
“It’s not magic, it just takes sufficient preparation and they need to do better than their past records in the 2010 Commonwealth Games that was held in India,’’ she said.
Onyali-Omagbemi, who was a member of the country’s 4x100m bronze winning relay team at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, added that she expected the athletes to know what winning entailed.
“They know what to do, and I believe they should do whatever it takes to get us in the middle of the podium, go for gold.
“Athletes should also work hard, rest well, eat well and it’s not magic, it’s just adequate training,’’ she said.
Nigeria won an impressive 33 medals made up of 11 gold, eight silver and 14 bronze medals in the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games in India.
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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