Sports
Coach Urges Schools To Embrace Long-Distance Races
Female wrestlers in contest
Anational coach of long
distance races, Stephen Nuhu, urged schools to embrace long-distance races as a way of developing the event.
Nuhu told newsmen that encouraging students at the grassroots would also improve the growth of the event in the country.
He added that schools in the northern part of the country had been at the forefront of discovering talents for the country.
“We are majorly into long distance races in the northern part of the country because of the high altitude; you can easily find them there.
“It does not stop other states from discovering talents for the country in that event.
“Students should be encouraged to take up the event because it is the cheapest, we also need to tell the world that we are blessed with talents,” he said.
Tidesports reports that Alex Korio from Kenya came top in the male category of the 3rd edition of the Edo State Government initiated Okpekpe 10-km Road Race held on May 16, 2015 in the town while Tanui Nkale, also from Kenya, came top in the female category of the competition.
Also on February 6, 2016, Abraham Kipton from Kenya came first in the 42.1km Access Bank Lagos City Marathon held in Lagos and jointly organised by the Lagos State government and Access Bank Plc.
Nuhu, however, frowned at the lack of continuous training of up-and-coming athletes after discovering most of them, noting that more of them should be encouraged to participate at international events.
“Sincerely, most of the athletes discovered get discouraged because if they train and there are no competitions where they can feature, they start withdrawing,” he said.
He also appealed to sponsors to help finance the programmes of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) to ensure athletes were meaningfully engaged, saying that when athletes were engaged in sports, they would keep off vices.
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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