Sports
Police Hope To Top Rugby League
Coach Michael Abiodun-
Johnson of Nigeria Police Rugby club has said he was confident the club would rank as number one on the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation League.
Abiodun-Johnson told newsmen in Lagos that the club, currently ranked number three on the table would work hard to emerge tops.
“We are currently number three on the table and we hope to move up the ladder soon through hard work,’’ he said.
The coach, however, called for more support for the sport.
“Rugby is developing in Nigeria but we need people to acknowledge the sport like they do to football, saying that many western countries have embraced rugby alongside football.
“If you talk about the sports that rally fans in Europe, these are football and rugby. We need the support of philanthropists to ensure the sport develops here,” he said.
Abiodun-Johnson noted that the sport should be promoted at the grassroots — primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.“We cannot successfully carry out the task of developing the sport at the grassroots if we do not have funds.
“We are ranked 73 in the world, which is not supposed to be. If you go to countries like Britain, you will find up to four Nigerians in their National teams,” he said.
The coach said the country had a number of untapped potential waiting to be discovered. “We have what it takes to measure up to South Africa, all we need is support’’.
He noted that equipment for the sport was not readily available in the country, except the equipment were ordered from abroad.
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.