Sports
ONELGA Set To Win Rivers Mini-Sports Fiesta
The team manager of Ogba// Egbema Ndoni Local Government area (ONELGA) at the on-going Rivers State Sports Development Initiative for U-17 games Fineborn O. Friday has expressed confidence that his LGA will emerge overall winner.
He stated that his athletes were prepared for the games in terms of training to achieve that feat.
Friday said this in an exlusive interview with Tidesports yesterday at the Alfred Diete-Spiff Sports Complex, Moscow road, Port Harcourt, saying that the spirit of his athletes are also very high.
“We came here to win this maiden eiditon of this competition, because we prepared for it in terms of training and otherwise. We registered six sports out of the ???? and we are optimistic that we will win”, Friday said.
The team manager frowned at the manner the screening process was carried out saying that the screening would have been better if non-staff of the sports council handled it.
Honestly, I am not comfortable the way and manner the screening was carried out. I observed that staff of sports council have interest in some particular athletes.
“In my opinion, I would have like non staff of the council handle it, to avoid bias and sentiment,” he stated. However, he commended the state government in its effort to develop sports from the grassroots.
According to him, if government continue to organize grassroots sports competitions in no distant time, the state would have abundant talents.
He used the forum to call on parents to encourage their children to be involved in sporting activities.
Tonye Orabere
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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