Sports
MD Scores Competition High, Begins Preparations For 2018
Buoyed by the successful hosting of the just-concluded Guinness Cup, Peter Ndegwa, the Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria Plc, said yesterday that the company has begun preparations for the 2018 edition.
He said the annual sports competition had helped to foster team spirit among employees.
Tidesports source gathered that this year’s edition of the Guinness Cup was held on May 30 at Agege Stadium, Lagos.
“The performances of the company’s athletes who competed in the various sports are quite impressive.
“Sports are not just for physical activities that produce winners and losers, they also present unique opportunities to celebrate the best qualities in people or athletes.
“Qualities like resilience, teamwork, adaptability, creativity, stamina and the determination for excellent pursuits are brought out in people through sports,” he said.
Ndegwa said the impressive performances of staff had encouraged the management to start preparations ahead of the 2018 edition.
“ This year’s edition featured sports such as Football, Volleyball, Scrabble, Draughts and Table Tennis.
“The Guinness Cup has presented a unique platform for all Guinness Nigeria employees to have a great time and celebrate life together in line with our purpose.”
On his part, Guinness Nigeria’s Acting Corporate Relations Director, Rotimi Odusola, said the competition also provided a
platform for the discovery of talents in the organisation.
“For instance, we have seen employees display impressive football skills, while those in the ICT department played Table Tennis
with dexterity.
“This could not have been possible without the Guinness Cup,” he told newsmen.
Tidesports gathered that the 2017 edition of the Guinness Cup, the third in the series, saw Team Benin emerge winner in football by beating the Team Lagos 2-0 to clinch the trophy.
In Scrabble, Godspower Amavah of Team Lagos emerged winner, while in volleyball, Team Baileys, an all-female squad, (named after one of the company’s products), emerged champions after seeing off Team Snapp.
In the Draughts category, Michael Orkula, member of the Team Benin beat Oluwole Ajiboye of Team Lagos, while in the Table Tennis competition, Osayawe Kizituu, won the male category.
Ifeoma Anthony emerged the winner in the female category of Table Tennis.
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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