Sports
S’Africa, Nigeria Dominate CAA’s Squad For IAAF Cup
With less than 30 days to the beginning of the 2018 International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Continental Cup, the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) has selected 77 athletes to represent the continent.
The competition is scheduled to hold from September 8 to September 9 in Ostrava, Czech Republic.
The 21st African Senior Championships held in Asaba, Delta, from August 1 to August 5 was used to select the African team to the Continental Cup.
CAA said on its website yesterday that South Africa has 20 athletes, 16 athletes from Nigeria, Kenya has nine, Morocco has six, while Egypt and Ethiopia have four athletes respectively.
Others picked are Botswana with three and Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Tunisia and Algeria with two athletes each, while Cameroun, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Burundi, Swaziland, Uganda and Djibouti have one athlete each on the team.
The names of the Nigerian athletes are: Tobi Amusan (100m, 4x100m), Glory Nathaniel (400m Hurdles, 4x400m), Grace Anigbata (Triple Jump), Temilola Ogunrinde (Hammer), Kelechi Nwanaga (Javelin).
Other Nigerian athletes are Blessing Okagbare (4x100m), Joy Udo-Gabriel (4x100m), Rosemary Chukwuma (4x100m) and Ese Brume (Long Jump), Chioma Onyekwere (Discus), Divine Oduduru (men’s 200m), Abejoye Oyeniyi (110m Hurdles) and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi (Shot Put).
The rest are Yinka Ajayi and Mercy Ntia-Obong were named as reserves in the women’s 4x400m and 4x100m relay teams respectively, while Chidi Okezie was selected as a reserve in the men’s 4x400m.
The athletes listed for the women’s 4x400m in Ostrava are South Africa’s Caster Semenya, Nigeria’s Glory Nathaniel and Botswana’s Christine Botlogetswe, while South Africa’s PhoraThapelo, Botswana’s Baboloki Thebe and Nijel Amos were named on the men’s 4x400m squad for Africa.
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.