Sports
Unaccounted N2.9bn Stalls Dream Team’s Camping
Nigeria Olympic team, Dream Team VI, did not open training camp in Abuja on Monday as announced and a new resumption date has yet to be made known.
This development may well not be unconnected with the unaccounted 2.9 billion Naira released by the federal government for the entire preparations by all the sports entered by the country for the Rio Olympics in August.
The Dream Team’s training camp falls under this preparation.
The draw for the Rio Olympics football event will be staged on April 14.
Meanwhile, former boss of now defunct National Sports Commission (NSC), Al Hassan Yakmut, has revealed the Nigeria team to last year’s U23 -AFCON in Senegal were paid 250 million Naira (about $1.4 million ).
Yakmut was mentioned by sports minister Solomon Dalung in a 2.9 billion Naira that was released by the government to pay for the country’s preparations for the Rio Olympics among other expenditure which has yet to be accounted for.
Yakmut said Dalung cannot say he is unaware of how the cash was spent after he approved 250 million Naira to be paid the Olympic team who went on to win the U23 AFCON and qualify for the Rio Olympics.
“We paid out 250 million Naira for the team to the U23 AFCON in Senegal and it was based on the approval of the minister,” Yakmut said in Abuja on Monday.
Sports minister Dalung revealed he had to pay thrice what he would have paid last year to secure the country’s accommodation at the Rio Olympics in August.
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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