Sports
2nd Governor Dickson Wrestling Championship Gathers Momentum
The Nigeria Wrestling
Federation (NWF)says preparations are in top gear ahead of the 2nd Governor Dickson National Wrestling Classics in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State , from March 8 to March 13.
The NWF President, Daniel Igali, told newsmen yesterday that state associations had been duly informed and that they were already responding positively.
“It is an open competition but every participant has to come through a state association. The competition is to select wrestlers that will form the national team.
“This is the 2nd Governor Dickson National Wrestling Classics. It’s our national championships and from which the national team is determined for the year,’’ he said.
The 2000 Sydney Olympics gold medalist in wrestling said that everyone was excited about the competition because it’s almost a year that a national competition had been held.
“We all have been looking forward to a national competition and now that it’s here, I urge the participants to give a good account of themselves and make it a memorable tournament,’’ he said.
The Olympian advised all participants to give their best at the competition if they truly desire to make the national team, adding that the wrestlers would compete in three styles.
“They are the Greco-Roman, Freestyle and Female wrestling. Each style will have 10 weight classes,’’ Igali said, noting that each style would start and finish competing in one day.
He urged the states and clubs willing to participate not to register more than one person in each weight class.
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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