Sports
Nigeria Clinches Seven Gold Medals At Egypt Junior Open
Nigeria won a total of
seven medals from the Egypt Junior and Cadet Open Championship, which ended in Cairo, Egypt at the weekend. The medals comprise, four gold and three bronze medals.
The gold medalists are, Tosin Oribamise, two gold), and Abayomi Animashaun and Amadi Omen, a gold each.
The bronze medal winners are, Michael Obayomi and Animashaun in the Cadet boys team as well as another bronze by Oribamise, Akoke Ojomo and Alimot Ayinla.
Also in the junior boys, Nurudeed Hassan, Olasunkanmi Oginni and Amadi Omen won another bronze.
However, in some of the final matches, it was hard-fought battle between Nigeria and Egypt in the cadet girls doubles, the pair of Nigeria’s Oribamise and Tunisia’s Fadwa Garci prevailed over the pair Egyptians Roa Amro and Farida Badawy, in a match that ended in straight sets — 11-8,11-7,11-6.
And in the cadet girls singles Oribamise recorded straight sets defeat of Egyptian Rolan Hesham 11-4,11-6 and 11-7.
In the mini cadet boys singles Animashaun secures straight sets defeat of Egyptian Yehia Saad, 11-9,11-9 and 11-3.
In cadet boys singles, Nigeria’s Amadi Omen handed out a straight sets defeat of Egyptian Marwan Abdelwahab 11-9,11-5 and 11-7.
Oribamise who could not express her happiness after clinching two gold medals and a silver said: “I am excited at the medals that I won’’.
According to her I could not believe at a point that I achieved all that.
“I thank God for being able to achieve this. I wasn’t by my power alone but by God’s grace. I played my hearts out but everyone was here to win and the Egyptians gave me a tough time’’.
Animashaun who clinched a gold and one bronze at his debut international outing said it was a dream come true.
“I feel great and I am happy that my training exercises have not been in vain. This record will also spur me to do better,” he said.
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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