Sports
Group Targets N10bn In Four Years For Talents Dev
Chief Executive Officer of
a private initiative, Nigeria Olympic Fund, Olajide Fashikun has said that the organisation will raise N10 billion in four years to develop young talents.
Fashikun disclosed this recently in Abuja, during a courtesy visit to the Managing-Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Bayo Onanuga.
Fashikun, an ex-international, said that the project initiated seven years ago by 11outstanding individuals from the sports world was aimed at raising the standard of sports in the country.
He said that 16 million Nigerians were expected to identify with the initiative by committing a token of N100 through lottery.
“We are trying to bring 16 million Nigerians to identify with this project and each of them upon signing off will have to choose one of 10 Olympic icons.
“These 16 million Nigerians are expected to commit N100 to that Olympic Icon and we are also going to use the lottery as a process of raising funds.
“At the end of the day, our target is, we can raise about N10 billion between now and the next four years, which we shall deploy in raising new, young athletes.”
Fashikun said that the group would deploy N35 million of the funds to prepare 90 athletes from five different sports for the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
“As for Tokyo 2020 Olympics, we are going to take 90 athletes from five different sports.
“Each of these athletes, we are going to invest N35 million on them to prepare between now and Tokyo.
“We are already late in terms of preparations for Tokyo because you need six years, so we are already two years late.”
“But despite that, we are going to go ahead and work in a planned manner for the remaining four years that we have.
“Such that we want to get to Tokyo and bring back to this country no matter the colour of medals, but we want to surpass the total number of medals Nigeria has ever had in Olympics.’’
He said that the initiative was a creation of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and the Nigeria Sports Development Fund Incorporated (NSDFI).
He said that interested Nigerians who wish to participate in the initiative could visit the group’s website onwww.nigeriaolympicfund.com
In his response, Onanuga, appreciated the efforts of the group in sports development.
“Government generally should be disengaged from funding sports.
“It should be a private affair also getting support from other Nigerians, we will succeed in sports.
“We need to also create the right atmosphere for talents to develop themselves,’’ 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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