Sports
Pillars Players, Fans Want Coach Out
Both players and fans of
champions Kano Pillars have demanded for the immediate sack of coach Okey Emordi.
The Nigeria league champions lost their seventh match of the season on Wednesday at Emordi’s former club Enugu Rangers and thus dropped two places to ninth on the table with 22 points from 15 matches.
They are now seven points adrift of leaders Sunshine Stars and in grave danger of not winning the championship for the fourth straight season.
“Pillars are under increasing pressure to do away with Emordi. Both the players and the fans want him out now,” a source informed Tidesports.
“The players, for one, say they do not understand his tactics.”
Thousands of protesting fans also stayed away from the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano for last weekend’s home game against Dolphins.
Emordi appeared to have met a recent ultimatum served him but only because it was not properly worded, according to our source.
It was gathered that a showdown talk, where Emordi’s future would have been discussed, earlier slated before the club’s home game against Dolphins was shelved.
Their next league game is at home to El Kanemi Warriors on Sunday.
Thereafter they face a tricky Federation Cup tie against high-riding Nigeria National League side Plateau United in Kaduna on Wednesday, July 8.
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.