Sports
Kickboxing In Need Of Awareness …As Niger Delta Tourney Begins, Thursday
General Manager of Plantgeria
Company Limited and sponsor of the 2014 Forthcoming World Kickboxing Championship tagged “2014 Niger Delta King of the Ring” tournament, Marco Porgatorio said that kickboxing will grow in Nigeria when adequate awareness and support is given to the sport.
The championship which is organised by the World Kickboxing Association (WKA) in partnership with Sensci Bassey Buddokan promotion (SBBP) is scheduled to hold from Thursday to Sunday at the Alfred Diette-Spiff Sports Complex, Port Harcourt.
Porgatorio stated this yesterday in an exclusive interview with Tidesports at his gymn (gymnasium), in Port Harcourt.
According to him, the sport needs awareness and support to be well-developed in the country, saying that athletes, coaches and officials should be encouraged to enable the sport grow and develop rapidly.
“Other sports need attention too, just like football and added that should they (other sports) be given the needed motivation and encouragement, sports would excel and grow to it’s desired height in the country.
“Some individuals invest in football because of its profit making nature, in football investors or sponsors gets an end return, but it is hardly so in other sports. But, one thing is sure, investing in sports programme would engage the youth meaningfully and keep them away from social vices, this would make the society crime free,” Porgatorio said.
He further said that if these young and abandoned talents could be discovered and well groomed they would do their families and the country proud, also be useful for themselves in the future.
Earlier, President of the W.K.A Nigeria chapter and organiser of the tournament, Sensci Victor Bassey, said the event would further prepare Nigeria kickboxers ahead of the forthcoming “All Africa Games” scheduled to hold in South Africa.
Meanwhile, 24 states including the Nigeria Army, Airforce, Police team, and two countries, Ghana and Cameroon are expected to participate in the championship.
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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