Sports
Amuneke Urges Nigerians To Support F’ Eagles
Flying Eagles Head
Coach Emmanuel Amuneke has urged Nigerians to support the Flying Eagles as they face Sudan in the second leg of the U-20 AFCON qualifiers on July 23.
Amuneke told newsmen yesterday in Abuja that the team resumed training on Wednesday ahead of the second leg match, which holds at the Teslim
Balogun Stadium in Lagos.
He said the team were gradually getting back to form after their encounter with the Sudanese side – an encounter Nigeria won 2 – 1 – earlier in the month.
“As long as we are playing in Nigeria, what counts is that Nigerians should come out in their numbers to support the team.
“They are young players determined to make the nation proud.
“I think Nigerians should come out in large numbers to support them and to cheer them up.
“We have gone to Sudan; thank God we achieved success halfway through the journey and it is left for us to accomplish the mission here in Nigeria in front of our people and in front of our fans.
“And after that we will all disperse to be with our families for a while before we start all over again.’’
The head coach said although the team just returned from Sudan “a bit rusty’’, they had no injury concerns.
“We cannot tell people how prepared we are, because we just came back from Sudan and we started training on Wednesday.
“We do not have any injury worries and you know football is a physical game and there will always be contact between the players and their opponents, but the boys are okay,’’ he 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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