Sports
Anambra Fails To Participate At Abuja Golden League
The 14-man Anambra State
athletics team failed to participate in the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Abuja Golden League over failure to secure the needed funding for the trip.
The competition was initially scheduled to hold in Kaduna, from June 26 to June 27 but was moved to Abuja by the organisers after some deficiencies were observed with facilities at the original venue.
An official in the Anambra State sports ministry, who pleaded anonymity, told newsmen at the weekend that even though the trip was approved, but that they could not secure the funds for the trip.
Some of the athletes, who spoke to newsmen on Saturday expressed disappointment at their inability to make the trip after they had intensively prepared for the event..
Anambra hosted the last AFN Golden league at the Rojenny Stadium between June 10 and June 11, at which a new 8-lane tartan tracks were unveiled by the state.
They said they had gathered at the ministry youths and sports early on Friday in anticipation of their departure for Abuja but were stranded before dispersing.
A shot put thrower, Emmanuel Okeke, who said he was invited from Lagos by the Chief Coach Johnny Igboka, to come and compete for Anambra, regretted losing time and money.
Okeke said he had a personal best of 17 metres at the Lagos All-Comers but did not receive training support to improve on his performance.
“It is a shame that Anambra did not make it to Abuja golden league, just two weeks after hosting the event, there is no reason why we should not have attended.
“We have been sponsoring ourselves in the past but thought that now that we have hosted, the government will encourage us to attend this one,” he said.
A female quarter-miler Ifunanya Muoghalu, said they had once again been denied the opportunity to fight for places in the national athletics team to major events.
“We were told to prepare for this championship and after spending the entire day without anyone to talk to us, we decided to go back to our various homes.
“Our problem is not just a lack of competition, but welfare, they did not give us allowances and encouragement’’.
Muoghalu said she won a gold and three bronze medals for the state at the schools’ sports festival in Otukpo last November and had yet to be rewarded.
A high jumper, Chizoba Awoke said he was disappointed at the loss opportunity to feature at the Abuja meet, saying it was a bad build up for the National Sports Festival to be staged sometime in Calabar.
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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