Sports
NYSC Scares Akwa United
Akwa United’s Michael Ibe has confessed that the NYSC selected side gave them a scare in the first half of their friendly tie played on Wednesday in Uyo.
The Promise Keepers attacker admitted that the selected side of the Corps Members frightened them with their first-half performance
The NYSC selected side shot into the lead in the 20th minute of the encounter through Okoro Joshua and they held on tenaciously for the remainder of the first half and even some part of the second half also.
They finally succumbed due to fitness issues in the final 20 minutes of the encounter when the Promise Keepers scored five goals to send them back to their places of primary assignments empty-handed.
AdeshinaGata, Ibe, Cyril Olisema (2) and Victor Mbaoma turned the game in favour of the 2017 Federation Cup champions but Ibe admitted that it would have been a difficult exercise had their opponents attained their same level of fitness.
“It was a difficult game for us yesterday (Wednesday). The NYSC team gave us a serious fright but we used our experience to beat them,” Ibe told Goal.
“They actually scored first in the first half and we were unable to equalize. We thought at the start of the second half we would be able to score but they were still very much in the game. It was until some substitutions were made that we started to get our bearing.
“It was then the equalising goal came and we were able to add more to it. I will say the NYSC team held us for 70 minutes before we did the damage in the final 20 minutes. They were a good side and we must praise their effort.
“We had some of our fans at the stadium and some important dignitaries too and they were all sitting at the edge of their seats. It was a very tough game for us but we thank God that we were able to come back to record such emphatic win.”
Akwa United are billed to face Akwa Starlets in another test game on Friday at the practice pitch of the GodswillAkpabio Stadium, Uyo.
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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