Sports
Stakeholders Hail D’Tigers Victory At Four-Nation Tourney
Some Nigerian basketball
stakeholders have commended the performance of the senior national men’s team at a four-nation challenge event which ended on Sunday in South Africa.
The D’Tigers emerged victorious at the maiden edition of the Four-Nation Invitational Tournament after defeating Kenya, Mozambique and hosts South Africa.
Led by coach Sani Ahmed, D’Tigers defeated South Africa 97-58 in their first game on Friday, Kenya, 83-52 and Mozambique 51-42 on Saturday.
In the final match on Sunday, D’Tigers outclassed Mozambique in their second meeting by recording a 72-59 win to lift the trophy.
The stakeholders told newsmen in separate interviews that more of such competitions would help the team’s home-based talents garner experience.
The Akofa Ivy Junior League Co-ordinator, Abimbola Faniran, said the victory by the D’Tigers which featured mostly players from the DStv Premier League was a good development for Nigerian basketball.
“I’m pleased with the outing of our players. They showed good quality and proved their capabilities.
“The competition will contribute a lot to our ratings and also earn a lot of respect for our national league.
“We also have to praise the leadership of Olumide Oyedeji, the team captain, who was outstanding in the tournament and who led the team with his vast experience to win the trophy.
“We hope for more of such tournaments, because it will go far to help our players and help the domestic league to be recognised on the continent,” Faniran said.
The Assistant Coach of Mark Mentors of Abuja, Dauda Adeka, said it was a great achievement for the D’Tigers and a victory for the entire basketball family in Nigeria.
“We are very excited about this. Our boys did well and once again put our name in a position to be seen as a force to reckon with on the continent.
“We want more competitions of this nature, so that we can showcase the quality of our league,” Adeka said.
The Head Coach of Police Baton, Mark Balogun, in his reaction, said the D’Tigers performance was a good development in the right direction of rebuilding the national team.
“It’s a great development for our basketball, especially our home-based league players. We need to give them more of this exposure to build their confidence.
“When they are involved in numerous invitational tournaments, they will be able to master their acts and several techniques properly.
“Because this is the essential ingredient to developing players into world-class status, we urge the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) to look out for more tournaments of this nature.
“Because if players are involved in more playing games, they will have more time to practise and perfect strategies and the necessary skills to become world-class players,” Balogun said.
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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