Sports
AJT Championships: 24 Players Vie For Nigeria’s 12 Slots
No fewer than 24 junior
tennis players are currently in camp ahead of the forthcoming African Junior Tennis Championships (AJC) in Togo from Jan. 10 to January 22.
Tidesports gathered that national junior sensations, Oyinlomo Quadri, MaryLove Edwards and Michael Osewa are top on the list of players in camp.
Only 12 players will qualify to represent the country in the U-14 and U-16 categories at the continental competition.
The camp which opened on January 2 in Ekiti is expected to close on January 9, while the Nigerian team will depart for Togo on January 10.
Also, in the male category, Quadri and Osewa have been in good form for about two years.
The duo recorded brilliant performances in the tournament they participated in between 2015 and 2016.
In the female category, Marylove dominated the U-14 category, winning all the major national junior championships.
She won the CBN and NNPC junior tournaments.
The player also came third at the ITF/CAT junior championships in Morocco in 2016.
A coach, Abel Ubeibi, who is with the players in camp, said that the players were ready for the continental tournament, adding that they were in high spirit.
“These young lads are battle ready for their opponents any day, anytime they are called upon.
“With the type of training they are undergoing, I am sure that they have what it takes to win their games without making silly mistakes.
“They have been eager for the tournament. I believe in them and can only say that they will do us proud in Togo.
“Although other countries will be working hard toward the competition but I am sure of good outing for our players based on their current form,’’ he said.
Ubeibi said that the final selection of players that would represent the country at the AJC would be on Jan. 6.
“The selection of the players will be strictly based on current form and only the best will be selected to represent the country.
“There is also a team event modelled after the Davis Cup, it is a new development by the ITF and we are also prepared for this edition,’’ 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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