Sports
CRSG Appoints New Management Team For Rovers, Pelican Stars
Team Rivers Cycling athletes Photo: Chris Monyanaga
The Cross River State
Government has named new Management Team for UNICEM Rovers and Pelican Stars Football Clubs of Calabar.
The Rovers Management led by the former Chairman, Mr. Maurice Inok while Mr. Sam Kombor was also returned as Chairman Pelican Stars Football Club.
Secretariats of the two teams are to be handled by George Obi Otu for Rovers and Esther Peter Etim for Pelican respectively.
Inaugurating the Management Teams, the Commissioner for Youth & Sports Development, Comrade Asu Okang charged the officials to consider their appointments as a call to duty and not political settlement.
Comrade Okang advised them to give their best to the assignment and their loyalty to the Governor, Senator Ben Ayade.
He cautioned against anti-government activities and noted that the Governor through his people-oriented programmes has provided a shoulder for everybody to lean on.
The Youth & Sports boss told the team to work assiduously to ensure that the two teams make significant progress in the nation’s League and bring back laurels.
Giving his acceptance speech, the Chairman Rovers Management, Mr. Maurice Inok who said the scriptures affirm that there is time and season for everything, called for respect for due process and line of authority.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman Pelican Stars Football Club, Mr. Sam Kombor said, funding remains a major challenge to football and sued for sacrifice on the part of Management and players.
Speaking at the occasion, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Ninka Takon, commended the efforts of Government towards youth empowerment.
Mrs. Takon advised the teams and stakeholders to tap into human resources at their disposal to support Government Projects.
She expressed gratitude to be associated with the Commissioner’, initiatives and thanked Management members for accepting the appointments.
Friday Nwagbara
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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