Sports
Official Calls For Revival Of School Sports
Head Coach, Lagos State
Sports Council Kally Agogo has called on the three tiers of government, corporate organisations and philanthropists to revive sports in schools across the country.
Agogo spoke with newsmen against the backdrop of inadequate sporting facilities for most secondary schools to support the practice of sports.
“It is discouraging to note that most schools do not have grounds, where sporting activities can take place. All we see these days are mushroom schools, springing up from all nooks and crannies that accord less importance to practice of sports by students.
“Schools’ sports to me are not progressing because most schools currently do not have facilities especially when compared to situations when we competed in the 60’s.
“Those days every school had its own play grounds, where students take part in physical training, usually the first thing in the mornings.
“With such arrangements, students take part in one sport or the other, but now, there are distractions from facilities, such as the internet,’’ he said.
He, however, urged local government chairmen to provide sports centres that could be used jointly by schools located within the same area.
Agogo also called on Old Boys and Girls Associations, to assist schools with acquiring sports centres.
“Government, especially those at the grassroots can strive to provide facilities that can be jointly shared by schools clustered in the same area.
“If one school has a good structured field, it can be shared by others’’.
Agogo said that with such development, it could help the discovery of talents, who could be nurtured to stardom.
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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