Sports
NSF: Asaba Hosts Zonal Elimination, Oct
Zonal elimination of Team Sport for the forthcoming 19 National Sports Festival (NSF) scheduled to hold December in Abuja, has been fixed to commence first week of October, this year in Asaba, Delta State.
The Zonal Coordinator, South South Sports Directors, Sonny Obot disclosed this Wednesday during a meeting held by all sports directors in the region, at the Alfred Diette Spiff Sports Complex, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.
According to him, the venue for Elimination events would be spread across sports centres in Asaba, saying that all the event could not hold in the Stephen Keshi Stadium as earlier planned.
“I have gone there for inspection of the venue. I think Asaba is ready to host. The facilities on ground are good and they are well prepared”, Sonny Obot said.
The meeting, which had the attendance of five sports Directors from the zone was held to review the performance of the zone at the competition (National Youth Games), recently completed at the national level.
“We are here to look at the competition completed at the national level, looking at sports development in the region and the forthcoming National Sports Festival in Abuja”, Obot added.
He however, commended Delta and Akwa Ibom States for the sustenance of their good works in sports having performed well at the 2017 and 2018 National Youth Games (NYG).
He also thanked the directors for their supports and understanding so far since the inception of his tenure as a zonal coordinator.
Meanwhile, the zonal elimination will kick off October 8 and run through to 13.
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.