Sports
PH To Host Super Falcons, Dream Team Matches
Wrestlers in contest in a past national competition
Rivers State capital, Port
Harcourt has been chosen by the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, to host the first leg tie of the 2016 Olympic Games qualifying fixture between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea which will come up on July 18, and the Africa Under -23 championship final round first leg match between Nigerian’s U-23 team, Dream Team VI and their Congolese counterparts on July 19,2015.
Already, Tidesports has learnt that in a bid to ensure successful hosting of the national teams, the Rivers State govenernment is scheduled to inaugurate teams matches in the city.
The 11-man committee has former Commissioner for Sports, Hon Boma Iyaye as chairman and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports as Secretary.
Members of the committee include Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka (MON), ex-player, Albert Chinwo, ex-internationals, Mercy Akide-Udoh and Eddy Mark. Others include, Nigeria Football Federation Chairman, Rivers SWAN Chairman, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and publicity, Opunabo Inko-Tariah, and representatives of the police and State Security Services, respectively.
Following the withdrawal of Mali in the second round the Super Falcons now have two rounds of qualifying fixture to prosecute before qualification.
Qualification will see them in the Women’s Football Tournament of next year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The Nigerian girls have played at three previous Olympics – 2000,2004 and 2008.
The winner of the Dream Team / Congo fixture qualifiers for the African U-23 Championship coming up in Senegal in December.
The best three of the eight participating teams will be eligible to represent Africa at the Men’s Football Tournament of next year’s Olympic.
The fourth-placed team in Senegal will play-off against a team from Asia. Meanwhile, the NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi has said that henceforth, the federation would decides international match venues well in advance. “This is in order to afford host cities enough time to work on the facilities to be used for such matches”, the General Secretary was quoted saying.
In line with the new policy, the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna will host the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match between the Super Eagles and the Pharaohs of Egypt.
The (NFF) said the match is scheduled for Wednesday, March 23, 2016.
It however said officials have also confirmed that work would be undertaken on the stadium’s pitch, and a couple of other areas which need to be improved before the match.
Nigeria and Egypt share top spot on the Group G table of the qualifiers, with the Pharaohs ahead on a one-goal advantage.
They had whipped Tanzania’s Taifa Stars 3-0 in Cairo in penultimate weekend’s opening matches, a day after the Super Eagles beat Chad 2-0 in Kaduna.
The Eagles’ next match in the series is away to Tanzania in the first week of September, before the visit to the Pharaohs two weeks later.
Egypt has missed all last three AFCON finals, including the 2013 finals which Nigeria won in South Africa.
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.
-
News5 days agoDon Savours Inaugural Lecture Presentation, Commends VC
-
News15 hours agoPolice Arrest Nigerian, Two Others For Kidnapping In Edo
-
Nation16 hours agoPerm Sec Explains Success Of FGM Elimination Programme In Rivers
-
Business5 hours agoNigeria, AFC sign $1.3 billion deal to build alumina refinery
-
News15 hours agoNDLEA Arrests Ex-Councillor With 40kg Skunk, Recovers Drugs In Diapers
-
Rivers4 hours agoLGSC Boss Commits To Better Service Delivery
-
News15 hours agoArmy Foils Cattle Rustling, Kills Terrorists In Benue …Rescues Two Kidnapped Bank Staff
-
Nation16 hours agoOgoni Mangrove Wetlands Gain International Recognition As Ramsar Site