Sports
Special Athletes Appeal For Separate Sports Festival
Youngsters honing their skills in athletics in a grassroot competition
Achondroplasia athletes (a
form of short limbed dwarfism) yesterday appealed to the National Sports Commission (NSC) to hold a separate National Sports Festival (NSF) for special athletes.
Some of them told newsmen in Lagos in separate interviews that the inclusion of more events at the NSF would allow their other colleagues to be engaged.
A F40 Shot put athlete, Deborah Agege, said the idea for a separate NSF for the special athletes would offer opportunities for more athletes to showcase their talents.
“Sport is a very veritable tool that keeps most of us occupied, I actually like the idea of having a separate NSF, like the Paralympic.
“Olympics is different from Paralympic, it will be nice if Nigerian government can give us this opportunity. We are seriously pleading for a change of heart.
“From there, we will be able to pick who will represent the country at the world level,’’ she said.
Abigael Menu, also in F40 class, said that the NSF does not encompass athletes with disabilities, saying that organising a festival for special athletes would be appreciated.
“The government is trying its best to see that we take part in the NSF, because we have para-athletics, para-table tennis, para-powerlifting, deaf athletics and deaf table tennis.
“These events were featured at Eko 2012 but having our own version of Paralympic will not be a bad idea at all,” she said.
She also said that sports helped to make special athletes to be cherished more, noting that it gives them a sense of belonging.
“A lot of people still laugh at us because of our height, making us feel inferior. Sports bring special athletes together, it makes us have a sense of belonging,” she said.
Israel Akujor, a shot put thrower in F40 class, also said that adding more para-athletics events at the NSF would give her colleagues the feeling of competition.
“There are some of our colleagues that have never represented the country or competed nationally because their class is not always featured.
“The inclusion of new classes to the NSF would also help our colleagues whose classes are not featured to improve,” he said.
He urged the public to stop stigmatising special athletes, saying that it was the same God that created the able bodied and disabled.
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.