Sports
AFN Releases Names Of Athletes, Officials For AJC
The Athletics Federation
of Nigeria (AFN) released the name sof 32 athletes and eight officials for the African Junior Championship (AJC) scheduled for March 3 to March 7 in Addis-Ababa.
The AFN Technical Director, Commodore Omotseye Nesiama, made the list of the athletes available to newsmen in Lagos.
The list comprises of 20 women, 14 men and eight officials.
The 100m, 200m and 4×100 boys comprise Oduduru Divine, Victor Peka, Igube ThankGod, Ashien Godwin, Olisakwe Chukwu.
Adiakerehwa Blessing, Abolaji Omotayo, Aniekeme Alphonsus, Ntia-Obong Mercy, Ese Brume are for the 1001200/4x100m Girls.
Adeloye Tosin, Idamadudu Praise, Asamu Tobi, Odiong Edidiong Ofonime, Asamu Tobi and Ajayi Yinka are for the 400/4X400m Girls.
The names of male athletes for 400/4x400m are Nathaniel Samson, Fasasi Adekunle Rilwan, Adeyemi Sikiru Adewale, Precious Moses and Abdulgafar Audu.
Those for the male 110m Hurdles are Bashiru Abdullahi and Atuma Ifeanyichukwu, while Amusan Tobiloba and Temidayo Oshinbajo are for the female.
The list for 400m Hurdles Girls are Akpofa Daisy, Glory Nathaniel, while Emoghene Timothy is for the 400m Hurdles Boys.
Ese brume, Mercy Abire are for the Long Jump Girls. For the Triple Jump Girls are Uche Brown and Anigbata Grace and Nwaelehia Peace.
Thaddeus Okpara is for High Jump Boys. Nwanaga Kelechi is for Javelin Girls, while for Shot Put Girls is Aniefuna Judith.
The coaches for the Short, Long Sprints and Hurdles are Esabunor Muavaye, Endurance Ojokolo and Saheed Akinpelu and Solomon Aliyu.
The coaches for the Jumps are Kayode Yaya and Ayodele Solaja, while Ann Chet is for the Throws.
The coaches’ Coordinator is Seigha Porbeni, while Falilat Ogunkoya-Omotayo is the Camp
Commandant.
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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