Sports
Our Qualification, An Act Of God – NFF
The Nigeria Football Fed
eration (NFF) has commended the Dream Team VI for picking on the African tickets for the 2016 Olympics football event scheduled to take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Mohammed Sanusi, the NFF General Secretary, told newsmen in Abuja, that the team’s Olympics qualification was in line with the federation’s desire to take the country’s football to the next level.
Sanusi described the Dream Team’s 1-0 defeat of host Senegal in the semi-final encounter as an act of God.
“We give glory to God for this victory; we are also grateful to the National Sports Commission (NSC) and Nigerians for their prayers and support for the team.
The NFF is happy with the qualification and I know that members of the public are happy too.
“We did not qualify the last time after we were eliminated by Equatorial Guinea; we thank this dream because they have made us proud,” Sanusi said.
The NFF scribe said that plans would be intensified to ensure the team got the best preparation for the Olympics proper.
“When they come back, the coach is expected to submit his training programme which will be sent to the technical committee for the members to look at and of course we will start in earnest.
“This is because when you prepare well, you have prepared to win but if you are lagging behind in preparation, then you are preparing to lose.
“So we are going to prepare very well for this Olympics,” he said.
Sanusi assured that the team would play top quality friendly matches as part of preparation for the Olympics.
He said: “ the team will move into camping and if there is any possibility of beefing up the team, the coach will do so.
“From local camping the team will embark on foreign camping where they will play quality friendly matches before the Olympics. •
“We did it the last time and it paid off; we have lined up quality friendlies and by the time they come back, we will decide the way forward.
The NFF general secretary pointed out that the NSC was very much aware of its obligation to the team and would do everything possible to motivate the players ahead of the games.
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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