Sports
Director Calls For Sack Of Rangers Mgt
The Enugu State Director
of Sports, John Eli has called for dissolution of the management of Rangers International FC of Enugu so as to reposition the club for better performance.
Eli told newsmen in Enugu recently that the club’s management had not lived up to the expectation of the people of Enugu.
The director said it was regrettable that since the inauguration of the management about seven years ago, the club had yet to win any major competition at local and international levels.
“How can we watch Rangers, which used to be the pride of the Igbo people die because of some people’s personal interest?
“Rangers that I know will need to be restored to its former glory days, where they won laurels nationally and internationally.
“I hope the incoming government will look into the team’s management and put capable hands that will navigate the recruitment of good players and take the club to greater heights,” he said.
Eli said the management should revive the Rangers academy, from where grassroots players were graduated into the senior team.
“Junior Rangers ought to have comprised players between ages 15 and 19, while the seniors range from 20 and above.
According to him, players within the age bracket have a long way to go as they can sustain the club’s momentum in the country.
“The management should learn from Lobi Stars of Makurdi, where they graduate young players below 20 years and those players last long in the country’s premier league.
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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