Sports
Coach Wants Improved Welfare For Swimmers, Others
A Lagos State grassroots
swimming coach, Daniel Jasper has decried the attitude of Lagos State sports authorities toward swimmers and coaches.
Jasper told newsmen in Lagos that he decided not to participate in the going Lagos State Secondary Schools Sports Festival tagged “Ibile Games’’ because of the poor attitude.
There was low turnout of swimmers at the swimming events of the games at the Teslim Balogun Stadium Swimming pool.
Jasper said lack of good welfare for the swimmers made him pull out his athletes from the Games.
“My swimmers WERE featuring in the Ibile Games because of the way we were treated during the 2014 Speakers Cup.
“We were not well treated at the Speakers Cup last year; with that experience, I cannot take the risk of bringing these young boys and girls without good welfare for them.
“The secretary of the association made empty promises to us, but up till date the promises have not been met.
“And this is a recurring trend with the state swimming association, so we will not be participating,” Jasper said.
The coach, who is also Takwabay grassroots coach, said the state sports council should take the welfare and motivation of the state athletes seriously to stem poaching and voluntary exit of swimmers.
“Other states like Cross River and Delta have well thought out grassroots programmes, with the welfare of athletes as priority.
“The sports council should show care and good welfare for grassroots coaches, to avoid poaching,’’ he said.
Daniel said that most grassroots clubs are not at the Games due to the attitude of the state swimming association.
“In some major youth competitions like the Ibile Games, eight lanes will be full, but you can observe that only three or four swimmers are on lines in the Ibile Games,“ he said.
Catch them young, kids being drilled in Golf
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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