Sports
…May Reduce Minimum Venue Capacity Requirements
The Confederation of
African Football may
reduce the minimum capacity of 20,000 required for a stadium to host the Africa Cup of Nations.
It follows the use of smaller venues in the rearranged finals in Equatorial Guinea, which saw fewer empty seats.
“It gives us a sign that building huge venues in all areas is not necessarily the best thing,” General Secretary Hicham El Amrani told Tidesports source.
Sparsely-filled stadiums have often been a feature of the tournament.
In previous editions of the event, matches not involving the host nation have been seldom packed out – a combination of ticket prices, working hours, apathy and the challenges facing overseas fans to blame.
However, crowds flocked to watch matches at the hastily-arranged finals in Equatorial Guinea, which used four venues.
The major arenas were in the capital Malabo, with a capacity of 16,000, and Bata on the African mainland, whose 35,000-seater stadium hosted Sunday’s final, as Ivory Coast beat Ghana.
Meanwhile, Ebebiyin (5,000) and Mongomo (8,000) also attracted decent crowds as international football came to the eastern Equatoguinean cities for the first time.
“These stadiums were just the right size, considering the populations around,” said El Amrani.
“In terms of proportionality, the number of spectators compared to the capacity of the venues, I think this [tournament] was the most popular one.
“The main issue that sometimes make Nations Cup matches hard to fill is the capacity of away fans to travel, whether for financial and logistical reasons, visa issues and hotel availability.
“These are factors we are working on.”
The possible reduction in the required limit for stadiums would only apply to the smaller of the four venues, with the opening game and final still anticipated to be in sizeable arenas.
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.