Sports
Dolphins FC Awaits Transfer Window To Strengthen Team
Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt is planning to strengthen its team by recruiting quality players as soon as the season’s first transfer widow opens. This is the position of the General Manager of the club, Joe Johnson who said that the club must take decisive steps in order to get out of relegation zone the club is currently thirsting with.
He also declared that the club would improve in its performance following the payment of all outstanding salaries of the players.
Johnson said these in an exclusive interview with Tidesports at the weekend in Port Harcourt, saying that the team has no other challenges, apart from irregular payment of salaries and match bonuses.
“We are just waiting for the transfer widow to open, we will scout for quality players to enable us achieve our set goals.
“I also believe that with this current development of paying the backlog of salaries owed players they will now motivated to perform”, Johnson said.
While reacting to the issue of his players on AWOL, he stated that a lot of factors may have forced players to go on AWOL, but that with the recent payment of salary arrears, many of them would likely return to the team.
“A lot of factors maybe responds, we for somebody to go on AWOL, but what we have done now will put them on their toes’.
It was also difficult to continue to kick on and task somebody you are owing seven to eight months salaries”, he added.
Tonye Orabere
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.