Sports
Coach Hails Ideye Challenge, As Tourney Begins
With few days to the kick
off of the first edition of the Brown Ideye Challenge competition, coach of Port Harcourt City FC Joseph Zico has hailed the Nigeria International for giving back to the society.
Speaking in Port Harcourt, Zico said the announcement of the event has steered up joy and happiness in his team which he believes will spur them to victory at the tournament.
‘‘The youth are very very happy, everybody is happy to hear about this competition because they are just training and no competition to play and this one they see now is just like a lion is hungry and what do you expect when you give him a goat, is to swallow him, i don’t expect any other thing than glory, favour and victory for the tournament,’’ Zico said
The Port Harcourt City FC gaffer also used the opportunity to call on other internationals to emulate the Olympiakos of Greece forward.
‘‘I think, that is what we are expecting from those that grew up from Port Harcourt and plying their trade abroad, we expect them to encourage the younger ones and keep them busy. I thank God for those who spoke with him (Ideye) to initiate this tournament. I encourage him to keep it up and also urge other professional players plying their trade overseas to do the same in promoting grassroots football in the country’’.
Port Harcourt City FC is among 16 teams that will sllug it out in the competition which kicks off today at Treasure 98.5FM football pitch inside NTA Port Harcourt premises.
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.