Sports
Heartland Urges NFF To Probe Players Transfer
Media Officer, Heartland
FC of Owerri, CajetanNkwopara, has urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to probe the illegal transfer of three players of the club to Rangers International of Enugu.
Nkwopara made the call in a news statement issued in Owerri and made available to newsmen in Lagos.
He identified the players as Orji Okagbue, OsasOkoro and Bobby Clement.
The official maintained that the players “had been illegally transferred to Rangers’’ without the consent of the club or League Management Company (LMC).
He said the club was demanding for full investigation by the NFF and LMC on those that sanctioned the “illegal transfers.”
The club’s media officer explained that the three players registered and played for Heartland last season before they were given one year provisional clearance to move to Rangers International by the Arbitration Committee.
Nkwopara said that the claim by the players that they were owed salaries at Heartland was “completely false as the club was up-to-date with players’ wages as at January 16.”
He said that the club only owed some of the old players their balance of sign-on fee for the previous season which the players had agreed in a meeting with the state government, to be paid ininstalment.
The club’s spokesman said that the arbitration committee had never invited the club to respond to allegations on players’ wages.
Nkwopara said that the club would take legal action if necessary to ensure that justice was done.
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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