Sports
Director Lists Gains Of DAWN
The Director of
Organisation, Oyo State Sports Council, Gboyega Makinde, has said that the Development Agenda for West Africa (DAWN) Games would expose talents at the grassroots in the state.
The DAWN Games (South-West States Secondary Schools Games), which began in Lagos on May 16, would end on May 24.
Makinde told our correspondent that the competition would encourage the state athletes to participate in more sport programmes at the grassroots.
“The tournament is inspiring us to build up a grassroots programme which will help nurture talents that will be of immense benefit to the state.
“It will positively engage the youths and take them off the streets and equally make them good ambassadors of the state,’’ he said.
Makinde also commended the Lagos State for hosting the tournament and expressed the hope that the tournament would become a prominent competition in the South West.
“The host state has done its best. You cannot satisfy everybody, but it is a fair organisation and if it continues this way, that means the South West states will go places in National Championships.
Makinde was also sure that Oyo State would win the championship.
“We hope to win the competition and if we do not win, it is not a do or die situation. We are here to expose and develop our talents.
“When our athletes mature, we will be able to use them for future competitions,’’ he said.
Over 2,000 athletes from Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti and Lagos States competed for honours in 12 sports.
Ondo State, however, failed to participate.
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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