Sports
Nigeria Gears-Up For Football-Fives Championship
The biggest five-a-side
tournament in the world (F5WC), also known as the Football-Fives World Championship, will begin the Nigerian qualifiers later this year.
I-Sports Coliseum Limited, the exclusive and sole rights owners of the franchise in Nigeria, has announced this year’s edition promises to be the largest in terms of organisation and participation.
“This is the 3rd edition and we are working hard to ensure that everything goes well in terms of registration and organisation,” according to the head of Local Organising Committee and chairman Boma Jacks.
He also went on to say that this year the organisers will give opportunities for states who are interested in obtaining Sub-Licenses from I-Sports Coliseum making them a Sub-Loc.
The organisers of the global event, Sports Event International, came up with this new concept to increase the number of participants and increase sponsor interest and value.
However, this Sub-Licenses would be sold to those who can maintain the image of the brand (F5WC) and organise the state qualifiers in a professionally.
The Sub-License is opened to notable football organisers, football centers, events companies and local leagues.
The organisers also added that the number of regional qualifiers would increase by a large number to give more opportunities to cities across the country.
The winners of the national finals will join 31 other countries and get the chance to represent Nigeria in an all-expenses paid trip to Beijing, China, in May 2017.
The global organisers will also arrange for flights, local transport and boarding for the winners, who will also receive home and away kits of the official kit manufacturers of the world finals.
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.