Sports
33 Players Ready For Ononokono Memorial Contest
The long awaited Ononokono Memorial Draught Competition which is being organised to honour the late Elder Bethel Obuah, father of Rivers Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Felix Obuah, will kick off tomorrow according to a fixture released by the organisers.
A statement by the PDP Chairman and signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jerry Needam said already, a toal of 33 players have been paired to battle it out at the preliminary stage, with players drawn in groups A to H, each of the groups has four players except group H which has five.
The statement added that the competition would go into the knockout stage on Wednesday, and proceed to the Quarter Finals the same day.
Obuah, who is also the Sole Administrator of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency, (RIWAMA) as well as the President/Sole Sponsor of NNFL Side, Go-Round FC of Rivers State, Omoku, said the Semi Finals and Finals would be decided on Thursday.
He added that the organisers have directed the competitors and lovers of the game of draught in the State to purchase a copy of National Network Newspaper which would be on the newsstands on Wednesday, for detailed information regarding the accreditation of players, pairings and rules/regulations guiding the competition.
The late Elder Bethel Obuah, who died on August 2, 2016 at the age of 85, was an ardent draught player in Omoku, his home town where his body would be interred on Friday.
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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