Sports
AWC: Nigeria, Morocco Lead Medals Table
As at press time yesterday, an unofficial medals table shows that team Nigeria and Morocco shared leadership of the Africa Wrestling Championship, held at Alfred Diete-Spiff Sports Complex, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.
Kenya, South Africa and Egypt have nine and six medals respectively.
The one week event which ended last night saw huge crowd and successful.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, Hon Boma Iyaye has commended Nigerians and the people of the state for their huge turnout at the Africa Wrestling Championship (AWC).
Iyaye said this while briefing sports journalists at the Alfred Diete-Spiff Sports Complex, Port Harcourt at the weekend.
“I am very proud of what I saw, the turnout is massive, Rivers State has left a legacy behind for hosting the AWC”, Iyaye said.
“He explained that, the world has seen the rich culture of the state, saying the united world wrestling has requested for the cultural groups in their next tournament.
Iyaye who is also the chairman of Local Organising Committee (LOC) stated that, when youths are engaged in sports, there will be no crimininatly on the streel, adding that boxing is one of the sports that they will focus on after now.
“We are going back to grassroots because there are a lot of talented youths that will be useful in different sports”, Iyaye said.
He admitted that there are owe or little errors but the championship has been a great success.
According to him, the state is ready to host any international competition because the facilities are there, saying the AWC has boosted the state economy.
The commissioner urged private individual and corporate bodies to be involved in sports development in the country, adding that sports development should not be left for government alone.
He noted that wrestling is beyond the traditional wrestling it used to be in those days and lauded Bayelsa State for their commitment in wrestling.
The LOC chairman also used the forum to call on other state commissioner to invest in wrestling.
Tonye Orabere & Kiadum F. Edookor
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.