Sports
Bet9ja Renews Sponsorship Of Deaf Football Championshp
Technical Director, Nigeria Deaf Football Association (NDFA) Banjo Kamiludeen, yesterday expressed delight at the decision of Bet9ja, a Nigeria-based sports betting company, to sponsor the abandoned National Deaf Challenge Cup.
Kamiludeen told Tidesports source in Lagos that the championship was last held in 2010 due to inability of NDFA to secure sponsors.
He said that the lack of sponsorship had stalled the development of the sport in the country.
“This championship is a major platform that helped to make deaf football popular in the country and it was where some members of the national team were discovered.
“We enjoyed support from corporate bodies and individuals that made it possible for the championship to hold four times, and the last edition was held seven years ago.
“We have suffered serious setback as a result of poor response of some of our sponsors and our efforts to get new ones has not yielded positive fruits,’’ he said.
He said that with the response of Bet9ja to sponsor the next edition, which is the 5th, the championship would now hold in Ijebu Township Stadium, Ogun State from Dec. 1 to Dec. 9.
The director said that eight states had registered their teams’ interest in participating in the championship and urged others to ensure prompt registration.
According to Kamiludeen, the registration is needed to guide the championship’s Local Organising Committee (LOC) on match fixtures and other necessary arrangements for the event.
“Registration is on and open to interested states that also have deaf football teams, it is an opportunity for them to expose their footballers and improve their skills,’’ he said.
The technical director said that part of the objectives of the championship was for the NDFA to identify upcoming talents.
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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