Sports
Performance Of Rivers Swimmers Excites Coach
Head Coach of the Riv
ers State Swimming Association, Florence Aduche, has expressed satisfaction over the performance of the state swimmers at the just concluded 6th Chief Naval Staff Swimming Competition in Warri, Delta State.
Aduche, stated this, shortly after the state team returned from the competition with a total of 27 medals.
According to her with the resul, Rivers Swimmers are sure to win more gold at the forthcoming 19th National Sports Festival tagged “Paradise Games 2014”, scheduled to hold in Calabar, Cross Rivers State.
This charming result has given the hope that the state would win gold medals at the 2014 National Sports Festival”.
About 13 athletes participated in several swimming events that brought honour to the state.
It was gathered that Racheal Tonjo won three gold and three silver in the 200m, breast women, 100m, breast women, 500m, the 200m 1.m women, 4x100m, 1.m relay and 4x100m free relay women event respectively.
Tebessa Nemune won two gold, two silver and one bronze in the 4x50m, 1.m mixed relay men I women, 4x50m mixed relay men and women, 50m free men, 50m, butterfly men and 100m free men events.
In the same vain, Dino Ebarakumo, won six silver and one bronze in the 1,500m free men, 400m, free men, 200m, free men, 100m, back men, 50m, back men, 200m 1.m men and 400m, 1.m men event respectively.
Others were Doutimi Gagbe who won five silver in the 50m, butterfly women, 100m, breast women, 50m, breast women, 4x100m, breast women, 50m, breast women, 4x500m medley relay women and 4x100m, free relay women event.
Timi E. also won two silver in the 4x100m 1m relay women and 4x100m, free relay women event while Ifang Awana and pere Dino won two bronze in the 200m, breast men and 800m free men event respectively.
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.