Sports
Giwa, Crown To Overhaul Teams
The Chief Coach of Giwa
FC of Jos, Kadiri Ikhana, has said the club is set to overhaul its squad to meet the challenges of the premier league.
Ikhana disclosed this to newsmen in Jos shortly after his side’s 2-0 victory over visiting Crown FC of Oshogbo.
He said the club will use the mid season break of the Nigerian Professional Football League to overhaul all departments in the team.
“In the proposed overhauling of the squad, all departments would be thoroughly assessed and strengthened, and it is all for the good of the team.
“Although we defeated our opponent, but there is still much work to be done, because the team is far from attaining premier league standard.
“The team still has a very long way to go because it is yet to be at the standard of the premiership.
“We will fortify the team by getting some new players and also working on the others as we have enough time to do that during the mid season.
“We will have one month break because of the World Cup and I believe we will use this period to strengthen the team.
“The break is enough to enable us come back better and stronger in the second stanza of the league,’’ the former super falcons’ handler said.
He appealed to the club’s fans to continue to support the team, pledging that they would not let them down.
Reacting to his team’s loss, the Crown FC Chief Coach, Lawrence Akpokona, blamed the defeat on the absence of notable members of the team who were sidelined by injuries.
Akpokona told newsmen that three of his strikers were injured and the other players suffered from fatigue due to the long journey from Ogbomosho to Jos.
“The attack wasn’t there, even at that we did not expect to lose by such a margin, but there was nothing anyone could do because of the situation we found ourselves,’’ he said.
The Crown FC handler said that the club would recruit some new players during the mid season window to strengthen the squad.
Akpokona lauded the match officials for excellent officiating, saying it was one of the best officiating he has seen in the NPFL in recent times.
Ibrahim Shuaibu got the lead for Giwa in the first half of the match and Usman Nura doubled the advantage in s econd half.
Athletes struggling for honours during 100m race during a national event in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, recently.
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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