Sports
Okposi FC Lifts Nwokocha’s Unity Cup In ONELGA
The Okposi Football Club last
Saturday at the Community Secondary School, Obigwe clinched the Hon. Augustine Onyekachi Nwokocha Unity Cup for Igburu clan in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) after beating their Egbada counterparts 4-3 in a dramatic penalty shoot-out.
The encounter was stalemated in the 34th minute by Nedu Orji of Egbada FC who cancelled Okposi’s lead which came in the 21st minute through Ebochi Samuel.
Exchanges remained even through the rest of the regulation time and Referee ThankGod Onyiri who was on top of the game signaled straight for penalities.
In the dramatic shoot-out, substitutes Gift Orene and Odinaka Orukwo as well as Ogwo Bright scored with three of Okposi’s five opportunities while only Skipper Natu Ogbodi and substitute Okey Nne converted Egbada’s five shots.
Ohiauga FC finished third in the 12-team contest and had their bronze medals presented to them by Eze John E. Ogu, Eze Luali of Igburu. Egbeda FC which were runners-up were decorated with their silver medals by Hon. Lucky Odili, member representing ONELGA Constituency Two in the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Hon. Gift Wokocha, member representing ONELGA Constituency One in the Rivers State House of Assembly and Chairman of the occasion, presented the gold medals and winners’ trophy to the Okposi team.
The Eze Igburu, Eze Chinedu Igwe, represented by Chief (Dr.) Gideon Nwokocha, the Ochioha Okposi and His Royal Highness, Jonathan Osia, the Ochioha Egbada joined a large crowd of elders and youths of Igburu clan to watch the explosive final.
Many soccer fans who watched the final commended Ref Onyiri and his assistants, Elijah Agi, Isaac Dibia and reserved referee Elem Solomon, all from the ONELGA Referee Society, Rivers Referees Council for good officiating. Twelve teams participated in the championship which commenced in August. They were from, Amah, Ohiaguga, Elehia, Ikiri, Elieta and Osiakpu communities.
The rest were from Uju, Okansu, Ogbidi, Obigwe Egbada and Okposi communities.
Donald Mike-Jaja
Hockey players in action during a recent national meet
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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