Sports
Cricketers Pay Tribute To Hughes
Australia’s cricket captain
Michael Clarke paid tribute to deceased young teammate Phillip Hughes on Wednesday, saying he will live on through the spirit of the sport.
“Phillip’s spirit, which is now part of our game forever, will act as custodian of the sport we love,’’ Clarke said at the funeral held in Hughes’ hometown of Macksville in northern New South Wales.
Clarke said on the night Hughes died he had felt his spirit standing beside him when he went to the spot on the wicket in the Sydney Cricket Ground where he had been felled by a high ball.
“I stood there at the wicket, I kneeled down and touched the grass; I swear he was with me. Picking me up off my feet to check if I was OK,’’ Clarke said.
“Rest in peace, little brother, I’ll see you out in the middle.’’
People lined the streets of the small town to pay respects as the cortege passed, followed by the Australian men’s and women’s cricket teams, as well as famous players from all over the world.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott and community leaders attended the funeral.
The funeral was televised live on several channels across Australia and hundreds of people turned up to cricket fields in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, where it was broadcast live on the big screens.
In Sydney, a line of 63 cricket bats commemorated the number of runs he scored in his last match. The number 63 has been marked in many ways.
Cricket star Shane Warne said he had heard that a schoolboy came off the field last weekend after scoring 37, saying he’d finished Hughes’ century for him.
The death of Phillip Hughes while playing cricket has shocked Australia and cricket lovers around the world.
Hughes, 25, in July scored a century in each innings in just his second match for Australia, the youngest player ever to do so.
He was thought to be about to be selected for the team to play against India when he was felled by a bouncer, a freak accident according to doctors, and died two days later.
The first test against India scheduled to start in Brisbane on Thursday was postponed due to the tragedy. The series would start in Adelaide on December 9. The delayed Brisbane test will start on December 17.
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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