Sports
Handball Association Harps On Equal Media Coverage
A patron of the Lagos
State Handball Association (LSHA), Kayode Opeifa, yesterday urged the media to give adequate coverage to the sport to promote it even at the grassroots.
Opeifa told newsmen in Lagos that if the sport was well promoted it would also contribute to the nation’s medals table at international tournaments.
He expressed displeasure at the poor publicity some sports were given at tournaments, stressing that the concentration of the media on football was a disservice to other sports.
“I must be honest; the media are not being fair to all sports in coverage which boils down to the fact that they are not balancing their job.
“They single out football and the hype they give it during continental and intercontinental games is affecting the promotion of some sports categorised as ‘lesser sports’.
“Other sports have opportunities of winning laurels at competitions unlike football which has one medal, yet they are not adequately recognised by the media saddled with the responsibility of sports promotion,’’ he said.
He added that with adequate publicity given to other sports by the media, athletes participating in them at competitions would be enthusiastic to perform credibly to make the nation proud.
Opeifa, who also sponsors the Lagos State Secondary Schools Handball Championships, tagged “Opeifa Cup’’, implored the media to extend maximum coverage to the forthcoming competition holding in Lagos.
Tidesports reports that Opeifa Cup, being organised by the Lagos State Handball Association, will hold from May 16 to May 21 at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Rowe Park, Yaba, Lagos.
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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