Sports
Grassroots Coach Solicits For Support
The head coach of Oceanic Star Football Club of Bille in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, Bruce Balafama has appealed to well-meaning individual philanthropists and corporate bodies to support grassroots football in the state.
He made the appeal at the weekend after a football match between the Oceanic Star FC and DlLine United Fc in Igbokwu field at D/Line in Port Harcourt. The match ended 1-0 in favour of the D-Line United Fc.
Balafama said, his boys played well but lost the match, saying that loss against a good team was not a bad result, adding that his team is just a month old.
“They are just coming out from the creek, with time they will do better”, Balafama said.
He stated that his players lack experience because was their first time playing a match in Port Harcourt since the team was formed.
“It is a new team, with time they will blend well”, he stated.
The head coach explained that brining new team together is not easy, adding that the team does not have training pitch but that within just a short period he had discovered some talented players.
“I want to discover talents. The team is going to be a great team in future”, he added.
According to him, he his optimistic that they will do well because just a month old, they have demonstrated skills as if they have played for months, adding that playing in the village is different from playing with an experience team in Port Harcourt.
“Their performance has shown that they will do well when they play together for at least a year,” he said.
The only goal scorer of the match, Ofime Emeka of the D/Line United FC said he was satisfied after scoring the only goal of the match and added that in the first half they were struggling without teamwork.
The second half saw their coach made some changes that improve the game.
“I am happy for scoring the only goal of the match”, Emeka said.
Kiadum 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.