Sports
Boxing Champion Eyes C’wealth Gold
Africa’s 75 kilogramme boxing champion, Edith Agu, has assured Nigerians of winning the boxing gold in her category at the 2014 Commonwealth Games scheduled for Glasgow, Scotland.
Agu told newsmen in Abuja on Monday that she was well placed to win gold, especially being the African champion.
“I feel happy being an African champion in 75 kilogramme class. I entered into the national team in 2012.That was the first time they exposed female boxing internationally.
“In my first outing, I became the first female to qualify for the Olympics. When I got the ticket for London 2012 Olympics I got a lot of exposures.
“When I was in England, I went for training tour and my sparring partner beat the England 75 and come to talk of it, England 75 is the only English country ahead of me.
“If my sparring partner can beat the English boxer I believe that Commonwealth gold medal belongs to Nigeria,’’ Agu said.
Agu said she was looking up to the Commonwealth Games gold after her exit at the London 2012 Olympics quarterfinals.
“My target now is Olympics gold medal; even Commonwealth is not my target right now, though Commonwealth is what we have at hand. My dream is Olympics gold medal.
“2016 Olympics is my target; I did not actually crash out at the Olympics, its politics in the sports.
“I never believed it that I will lose out in the quarterfinals, because the girl I defeated in England was the one that won the gold; they never believed that a Nigerian could enter quarterfinals.
“So they did everything to make sure they bring me down so that I will not get to the final,’’ she added.
The Nigerian boxing team departed the country yesterday for a training tour of Cuba.
This is in preparation for the Commonwealth Games taking place between July 23 and August 3.
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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