Sports
NFF Boss Gets Knocks Over Comment
Former Super Eagles Coach, Sunday Oliseh
Reactions have started to
trail the statement made by the President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, which says enough is enough for Nigerian coaches in the Super Eagles.
Last week, Super Eagles head coach Sunday Oliseh voluntarily resigned his appointment as the Coach of the Nigeria Senior national team.
Oliseh said he resigned because NFF failed to cooperate with him and also breached their contract terms.
In his reaction, a grassroots football coach, Sunday Amadi said Pinnick statement is an indication that the country does not have competent home based coaches.
According to him, Nigeria has more than enough good coaches, but NFF has refused to exploit their talents.
“Honestly, I am not happy with that statement made by Pinnick, because it is an insult to all the coaches in Nigeria. NFF just want to bring low grade foreign coach that may not be better than any Nigerian Coach” Amadi said.
Simeon Akpan, a sports analyst said the leadership of NFF is not sensitive to the present reality of the country’s economic situation, adding that the present administration is struggling to conserve monies to boast the economy, but NFF is looking for away to waste it, by bringing foreign coaches.
Akpan explained that there is no need to hire a foreign technical adviser because the country has good coaches.
“This country does not need a foreign coach, after all Stephen Keshi has achieved all that foreign coaches had achieved in Nigeria.
What I want NFF to do is to keep to contract agreement with indigenous coaches” Akpan said.
In his opinion, grassroots football player, Dokubo Ngeribo, said the statement of Amaju Pinnick the NFF President is to domoralise indigenous coaches, saying that Samson Siasia, Emanuel Amuneke and Stephen Keshi have achieved so much for the country, but they NFF do not want to appreciate them.
According to him, it will be difficult for any foreign coach to surpass what they have achieved in terms of laurels.
“We should learn how appreciate our home based coaches so that they can give us the best. It is only when we value and believe in them we can begin to get positive results” Ngeribo said.
Tonye Orabere
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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