Sports
Women To Participate In IAAF 50km Race
Women will participate
in the senior 50 kilometre race walk at the forthcoming IAAF World Race Walking Team Championships scheduled for May 7 to May 8 in Rome.
This is contained in a statement made available by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Communication Department in Monaco.
“In August 2015, IAAF Competition Rule 261 was amended by IAAF Congress to include the women’s 50km race walk as a listed world record event.
“However, there remained no women’s 50km race walk event on the IAAF calendar and the IAAF Council has recently voted to remedy that situation.
“With immediate effect, the Technical Regulations IAAF World Race Walking Team Championships in Rome have been amended to allow women to participate in the senior ‘50km race walk’ event, together with men.
“Any women’s results in Rome will count equally with the men’s results towards the overall team result in the race which was formally known as the senior ‘men’s 50km race walk,’’ the statement said.
It said that the maximum number of athletes allowed to enter remained seven, while five would compete regardless of the number of men and women.
It also said that the IAAF Council’s decision also extended to the participation of women in future IAAF 50km race walk events for which they qualified until such time as the IAAF introduced a separate 50km event for women.
IAAF President, Sebastian Coe, said “I welcome this amendment which marks one of the last important steps to ensure equal competition opportunities for men and women at IAAF competitions.
“In recent decades, we have seen the introduction of the pole vault and hammer throw for women, while there are still differences in some men’s and women’s events.’’
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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