Sports
Rivers United Retains Premiership Status
It is beyond the imagination of many supporters and fans of Rivers United FC Port Harcourt that the team will not be relegated following their poor performance both in the continent and 2016/2017 domestic league season.
Rivers United had its sigh of relief when they beat relegated Remo Stars FC of Sagamu, Lagos, 1-3 away. That result appears to be miraculous to many but to some, it was already known result while little belief that is was a sure banker win pool result.
Now that they have remained in the Nigeria elites football league, supporters and stakeholders have suggested the way forward to ensure that the team performs optimally next season.
The supporters’ club chairman, Comrade Franklin Owhor, has suggested that the entire club should be overhauled, saying that most of the players and officials are now no longer serious with their primary assignment, so there is need to recruit new personnel that be committed to their jobs.
According to him, if the team is not overhauled obviously they will not perform creditability because most of the players and officials are bereft with new ideas to move the club forward.
“We are tired of same players and technical crew; we need changes that will give the state positive result.
“I discovered that most of the players and officials are no longer committed and focused, so there is urgent need to sack such persons to enable the club move forward,” Comrade Owhor said.
Captain of the club, Festus Austin, said the management and sponsors of the club should carry out continuous assessment and correct the grey areas in the club.
According to him, it is not proper to wipe out the entire players, because it will affect the team adversely.
“My opinion is that management and sponsors of the club should sit down and carry out impact assessment, amend and correct the grey areas.
Apart from that it will not be good to sack all the players and management because it affects the club adversely. It is not also good for a Rivers United to start as beginners” Austin said.
He equally said that management should place priority on welfare of players and officials, adding that the players are poised to make a statement next season.
‘I am sure that next season will be very fruitful.’
While former supporters club chairman, Ambassador Otis Asonye, said that for the club to do well next season the management should stop players racketeering by bringing amateur players to the club, he said the management should buy players instead of signing players on loan, saying that the major problem is the players racketeering.
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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