Sports
Ideye Challenge: Sponsor Redeems Pledges
Some participants of the re
cently concluded Brown Ideye Challenge this week received gifts from the organisers of the competition.
The sponsor of the one month long football competition, Brown Ideye made promises to some participating teams and individuals on the day of the final on June 4, 2016 and finally fulfilled those promises less than a month later.
Jerseys were promised to three officials each of the two finalist as the previously provided Adidas sponsored jerseys only covered for players.
Also the 4th placed team, SKE got a promise of two balls and a set of jerseys while Thousand George Owiboye, an attacker with Awoba Stars was promised some funds to help offset his medical bills after he got a serious injury in the quarter final game against A & B Academy.
Coach of Garden City Panthers, Larry Eteli was full of praises for Brown Ideye.
“Some other people would have forgotten us as soon as the tournament ended, but I thank Brown Ideye for keeping his promises to us,” Eteli said.
CEO of SKE Academy, Kingsley Olisa said the gesture gives him hope that people still care about grassroot football.
“It’s an eye opener for all of us. What happened here just shows that there are people who care about grassroots football. We thank Brown Ideye,” Olisa said.
Awoba Stars forward, Thousand Owiboye was full of joy that Brown Ideye indeed fulfilled the promise of assistance he made him following an injury he sustained during the course of the competition.
Owiboye told the media team present at the event that what Brown Ideye did for him, did not happen in local football.
“Brown promised to do something and he lived up to expectations. What he did does not happen in local football.
“I’m very happy. I thank God that Brown Ideye remembered me and assisted me,” Thousand said.
Chairman of the Main Organising Committee, China Acheru described Ideye as a lover of grassroots football.
“In many climes, even here in Nigeria, everybody went home as soon as the tournament ended but that was not the case here.
“It’s amazing that almost a month after we played the final people are receiving material and financial gifts based on promises that were not in the original plan.
“It shows he has a heart for grassroots football,” Acheru said.
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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