Sports
Paralympics: Nigerians Applaud Team Nigeria’s Performance
Nigerians on Sunday
hailed the performances of the members of Team Nigeria to Rio Paralympic Games in Brazil for so far winning two gold and two silver medals.
The country’s representatives secured the medals from powerlifting to place Nigeria 16th on the competition’s log.
Liaison Officer, Ministry of Youths and Sports, Ibadan, Steve Olarinloye, told newsmen that he was not surprised at the impressive performances of the nation’s lifters who were making waves at the Games.
Olarinloye said the result was a good one for Nigeria, adding that the lifters were giving their fans what they expected from them.
“There are no two ways about it, our powerlifters are good and have always proved this whenever they represented the nation in major international meets.
“The ability they have always exhibited have put smiles on our faces, making us to be proud of them; they have never disappointed us,’’ he said.
An international weightlifting referee, Reginald Briggs, applauded the lifters medal haul at this stage of the Games and attributed it to self effort and determination.
Briggs said that their performance became outstanding owing to the fact that they were not provided with adequate environment for proper preparations for the Games.
“These special athletes are just great, we are happy with their performances but the truth remains that it is purely their effort without training tours,’’ he said.
A coach of physically challenged athletes, also Austin Chima, said the lifters were doing well to make up for the dismal performance of the able-bodied athletes who featured at the just-concluded Rio Olympics.
“I am sure that most sports lovers are monitoring the activities of our athletes in Rio because they believe that they will do better than the able-bodied ones.
“The lifters representing us are world champions and they are making us proud; I know they will win medals to improve Nigeria’s ranking on the medals table,’’ Chima said.
Tidesports gathered that Ronald Ezuruike (54kg) won Nigeria’s first gold medal, while Latifat Tijani (45kg) claimed silver for Nigeria’s first medal.
Esther Oyema (55kg) also won silver and Paul Kehinde also gold in the 65kg category at the Games holding from September 8 to September 24.
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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