Sports
2014 YOG: Nigeria Optimistic Of Qualification
C
oach Chakuma Ismail
of the national beach volleyball team has assured that Nigeria will clinch one of Africa’s six tickets to the 2014 Youth Olympics Games (YOG) in Nanjing, China.
Ismail said this in a telephone interview with newsmen following the team’s last training session in Kaduna.
“It is almost two weeks now since we resumed camp and we have put in a lot of efforts to train very hard.
“We have been preparing seriously and I am happy to say that the players have been responding well and I am impressed by their performance so far.
“As we conclude our training programme, I can assure that we are fully ready to secure one of Africa’s six tickets to the YOG,’’ coach Ismail said.
The team, which is the national Under-17 team, is preparing for the YOG African Qualifiers scheduled for Ghana from April 10 to 15.
The team will, alongside teams from 13 other countries, vie for the six tickets available to Africa at the YOG.
The team has since March 26 resumed camping in Kaduna, with six male and six female players.
Only two players each in both the male and female categories will compete at the African qualifiers.
The YOG is the youth edition of the Olympic Games with stipulated athletes’ age limit of between 14 years and 18 years.
Beach volleyball, which replaced indoor volleyball, is one of 28 events to be competed for at the 2014 YOG billed for China from August 16 to 28.
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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