Sports
Poor Sponsor Interest In Female Competitions Worries NSSF
The Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF) has urged corporate organisations to show interests in female-age-grade competitions so as to encourage its development .
It said that because corporate sponsors lacked interests , they had not been organsing regular competitions for this gender. .
“We are not in a position to dictate to sponsors which gender or category to support,’’ President of NSSF, Ibrahim Mohammed, told newsmen in Lagos.
“It is beyond us, because there is a limit to which you can push sponsors.
“In as much as we clamour for male and female grassroots’ development, we cannot deny the sponsors which gender they want to sponsor,’’ Mohammed said.
According to him, sourcing corporate sponsors does not come easy as it calls for caution when dealing with financiers.
“Seriously, it has not been an easy task for us as guardians, but we, hardly, have enough sponsors, so how can we dictate to them, it is a dicey scenario.
“It is only when we have many sponsors at our beck and call that we can advise some sponsors to invest in the female category.
“And we have talented girls that can give performance worth every penny of any sponsor,’’ he said.
He added that the problem was not peculiar to NSSF.
Mohammed said that it would take proper re-orientation of the society to change its perception about the girl-child.
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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