Sports
Encourage Your Children To Play Golf – Justice Okocha
Former Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Daisy Okocha, has urged parents to encourage their children to play golf, saying that the game will help mould their character because golf is a game of self discipline.
She stated that golf is the only game that would make you think rationally, following its playing pattern, as it is calculative in nature.
Justice Okocha made the remarks last Wednesday, after she took the ceremonial tee off at the Open Golf Schools Championship organised by OlympAfrica in conjunction with Port Harcourt Club 1928, Golf Section.
According to her, the best way to develop golf in Nigeria is to catch them young, groom and nurture them to become international golfers.
“I can’t develop golf alone, but the best way is
that parents should encourage their children to play golf and to have corporate sponsors.
It is the only game that can help to mould character of children, because it is calculative, make people think rationally and also make you to have self discipline” Okocha said.
Justice Okocha, who was former lady captain of the section revealed that Rivers State was the first state to introduce golf in Nigeria, saying that the then military governor of the state, HRM Alfred Diete-Spiff sponsored people to abroad to learn how to play golf and they came back to train others.
“I don’t think that golf is only for the rich people, everybody can play it. You can borrow kits and play at the beginning, even some people borrow kits to played competitions” she stated.
Speaking the representative of Uniport , Professor, Matthew Megwu , informed the students that the school have functional sports institute and advised them to take Uniport as their first choice in their Jamb examination.
“To my younger one’s I want you to be well educated, because without that becoming Tiger Woods is just nothing. We want those who can write their name and also sign their signature in sports environment. We are ready to admit any student that performed excellently” Professor Megwu said.
Also speaking the Director of OlympAfrica, Dr. Chukwuma Agi, said OlympAfrica is an international Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that has its head quarters in Senegal, that is poised to develop and promote sports from the grassroots.
He expressed satisfaction with the university of Port Harcourt management and Port Harcourt Club 1928, for their support. Dr Agi further appreciates her Lordship Justice Daisy Okocha, Dr, Sam Dede, Professor Matthew Megwu for their special appearance and all those that made the championship a huge success.
Tonye Orabere
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.