Sports
Lack Of Tennis Championship Worries Coach
The table tennis coach in
Anambra State, Bonifa-ce Akunna, has lamented the increasing unpopularity of the game in the state and the entire South East zone.
Akunna told newsmen in Awka that the zone, which produced some of the finest players for the country in the 1980s and 1990s, no longer staged championships as was the case in his playing days.
“Unless there are concerted efforts by wealthy individuals and corporate organisations to bankroll the game, the future of the sport in the zone will not be guaranteed,’’ the coach said.
Akunna acknowledged that there were still abundant talents around the area, saying they could be trained to ‘find fame and fortune from the sport’.
He also noted that there were no standard facilities for the game such as indoor facilities, stressing that most of the equipment were improvised and did not meet international standards.
The coach recalled how championships sponsored by Coscharis and Elephant Cement Coy provided opportunities for some players to grow in the sport.
“Table tennis has been more or less abandoned; no major competitions in Anambra or anywhere around in the past five years. We must revive the game and save it from dying.
“It is not enough to wait until national competitions before exposing players to the sport. At times we don’t attend table tennis championships like the Ojeaga recently held in Lagos,” he said.
Akunna, however, said that hope was not lost as table tennis could be revived by former practitioners blessed in wealth.
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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