Sports
IfeanyiUbah Owes Players Three Months Salaries
The Nigeria Cup Winners owned by billionaire oil magnate, Ifeanyi Ubah have been granted a short break, but the players are heading home without three months’ salaries.
And they have also not been paid for winning this year’s Federation Cup, which has qualified them to play in next year’s CAF Confederation Cup.
The players were each paid 50,000 Naira instead and this did not go down well with many of them.
“Most of us are not happy that we were not paid our salaries as well as the bonus for the Federation Cup final win,” lamented one of the affected players.
“As far as I am concerned, the club owner’s has misplaced his priorities. He has the money but he needs to deal with needs according to their order of priority.
“Anyway that is one-man business for you.”
Meanwhile, Abia Warriors kept their pre-season unbeaten run intact when they held FC Ifeanyiubah to a goalless draw on Sunday at the Ifeanyiubah International Stadium, Nnewi in a friendly match.
The Umuahia side have had pre-season preparations in Calabar and Asaba before proceeding to Nnewi to tackle the Anambra Warriors in the tune-up tie.
Abia Warriors’ assistant coach, Patrick Ngwaogu who witnessed the encounter revealed that the 2016 Federation Cup champions came all out to win the tie to make amends for their poor show in the recently held NPFL Super Four pre-season tournament in Enugu and that they fielded a strong side but that they were undone by the Umuahia side’s who were desperate to hang on to their impressive showing since the pre season started.
Ngwaogu told Goal: ”It was an impressive performance from both teams but FC Ifeanyiubah showed the more hunger and even had the opportunity to open the scoreline from the penalty spot but they lost it and we didn’t give any chance away again after then.
“We have gone to Calabar and also stopped over in Asaba before we travelled to Nnewi to face FC Ifeanyiubah.
“We have gone back to Umuahia and we will prepare for another match on Tuesday against Ebonyi United before the management will decide on what happens next regarding the rest of the pre season exercises.”
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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