Sports
LMC Tasks NPFL Clubs On Fans Violence
League Management Company Chairman Shehu Dikko has charged administrators of Nigeria Professional Football League clubs to curb growing fans violence.
In a meeting with the NPFL club representatives in Abuja on Wednesday, Dikko urged them to create a peaceful atmosphere at their match venues and be hospitable to their visitors.
The LMC boss pledged that performances of match officials will always be reviewed for a better showing but warned them to desist from inciting the fans against referees.
“When we mandated the club leaderships to sit together at matches.
“The reasoning was that when both leaders are seen in such friendly stance, tension will be reduced amongst the supporters. Dikko said in a statement. These fans read your body language and when a club chairman reacts negatively to a Referees’ decision the wrong signal has been sent to the supporters hence I urge you to eschew display of emotions while watching matches. It is your responsibility to lead this campaign for the friendly atmosphere at matches.
“By our assessment, the Referees performed well so far. We know it can always get better and we would strengthen our work with the NFF Referees’ Committee and the NRA to improve on what was obtained but we also want the clubs to realize that decisions cannot always go their way.
“The Referees are human and liable to make mistakes but whenever we have reviewed a match and discovered incompetence, such referees were punished no matter how long it took us to review the game.”
The second stanza resumes on Sunday, May 21 with Plateau United sitting atop of the log after the first round of 19 games.
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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