Sports
Coach Blames NSC For Boxing Woes
The Enugu State box
ing coach, Blaise Ude, on Wednesday attributed the falling standard of boxing in the country to lack of commitment by the National
Sports Commission (NSC) toward the development of the sport.
Ude told the newsmen in Enugu that the decline in standards were regrettabl, noting that the country still had the capacity to turn things around.
“Boxing in Nigeria is deteriorating because of a lack of National championships and other levels of competitions.
“In the past two years, the country has not been able to stage a single championship. When I was an active boxer, we used to have two to three championships in the country but these days we hardly witness any.
“For sport to grow, we need to have competitions all the year round. This is because boxers need to be exposed to modem facilities and strategies in the game,” he said.
He said that the country had not been able to measure up to some other countries because there had not been specific criteria for selecting those that would represent the country at the 2016 Olympics.
“We saw what happened this year where athletes were selected for the African Games (AG) without the National Sports Festival (NSF) being staged ahead,” he said.
He urged the NSC to involve individuals and corporate bodies in staging regular competitions in the country, instead of leaving sportsmen and women to rot after intensive trainings.
Ude also urged NSC to introduce leagues in boxing at Zonal levels to provide opportunities for boxers to compete.
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.