Sports
19th NSF: Rivers Traditional Sports Target Gold Medals
Coach of Rivers State
Traditional Sports Abula, Paul Asaah has said that preparations are on top gear for the forthcoming 19th National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged “2014 paradise games”, scheduled to hold in Calabar, Cross River State.
Coach Asaah, said this during an interview with Tidesporsts at the Alfred Diette Spiff Sports Complex, Port Harcourt recently.
He assured that the team is ready to defend the title won at 2012 competition, saying that his team is set to harvest gold medals during the NSF competition.
“We are going to sustain over record with a good performance at “2014 paradise Games” and the team is determined to emerge victorious once again in the competition.
Asaah, however, acknowledged that expectations were high for the state to begin it’s first phase camping for the 19th NSF games.
“Though, the festival is open for all states to invite internationals and professionals athletes to represent them at the festival but, the state Abula has the best team in the country and the sports has not gone international, so, he are working hard as usual to earn our goals he assured.
It would be recalled that the state Abula association won all the medal that was at stake for sport at the 16th, 17th and 18th National Sports fiesta.
Stephen Keshi
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.