Sports
Oziegbe Gets SWAN Patronship Award
The Sports Writers
Association of Nigeria yesterday in Port Harcourt Rivers State honoured Dr Benjamin Oziegbe as the patron of sports writers association, SWAN south south.
Dr Benjamin Oziegbe in accepting the award described SWAN as a veritable tool that can serve as opposition to move the country forward.
While speaking with members of SWAN in his office, he said, “ for some obvious reasons I can not farthom why God created it this way, football is a sport that unites both the good and the bad together, I call on SWAN to rise up to the occasion to take not only football but sports to the required height”
He also added that SWAN has done well in projecting Nigerian personalities around the globe and to achieve greatness he urged the body to continue and promote sports thereby ensuring that desperate sports administrators that tend to ruin the sporting potentials and aspirations of this country are flushed out of the system for speedy development of sports as an instrument of unity which is critical for any country that aspires to achieve greatness.
Dr Oziegbe took a swipe on the Super Eagles qualification for the African Cup of Nations against the Red Devils of Congo and the Bafana of South Africa.
He called on Nigerian sports authorities, SWAN, players and their coaches to ensure that the senior national team qualifies for next year’s nations cup.
“Whether Nigeria qualifies for AFCON or not the country remains one but efforts must be made that we qualify because like l said earlier, football unifies us, it’s the language all tribes, races understand”.
He advised the association to wake up to their responsibility and promised to assist the association when the need arises.
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.
-
News4 days agoDon Savours Inaugural Lecture Presentation, Commends VC
-
News11 hours agoPolice Arrest Nigerian, Two Others For Kidnapping In Edo
-
Nation13 hours agoPerm Sec Explains Success Of FGM Elimination Programme In Rivers
-
News11 hours agoNDLEA Arrests Ex-Councillor With 40kg Skunk, Recovers Drugs In Diapers
-
Nation13 hours agoOgoni Mangrove Wetlands Gain International Recognition As Ramsar Site
-
News11 hours agoArmy Foils Cattle Rustling, Kills Terrorists In Benue …Rescues Two Kidnapped Bank Staff
-
News11 hours agoFG condemns arrest of 42 Nigerians in Mozambique, demands immediate release
-
City Crime2 hours agoPH Ring Road: The October Delivery Promise