Sports
FCT SWAN 5-A-Side Football Competition Begins, Today
The 2018 edition of the annual Five-A-Side football tournament among media house in the FCT will now begin today following the competition’s draw held on Friday.
The Secretary of FCT chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), FCT Ikenna Okonkwo said the games were earlier schedulled for early December.
“It was postponed due to the ongoing NSF. The week will now hold from Sunday to Wednesday,’’ he said.
Okonkwo said the competition’s draws were held inside the Media Centre of the Abuja National Stadium, Abuja and the defending champions NTA were paired with Cool/Wazobia FM in the opening game.
He said last year’s runners-up, the newsmen would slug it out with Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) in another opening match also.
“Hot FM have a date with the Independent Television (ITV), while the only print media outfit in the competition, People’s Daily, will lock horns with the only sports radio in Nigeria, Brila FM,’’ the FCT SWAN secretary said.
The draw which was also held for the table tennis event saw defending champions NAN up against Cool FM, while ITV would tackle Hot FM.
“It will be a strong battle between Brila FM and FRCN as People’s Daily confront the largest television network in Africa, NTA,’’ Okonkwo said.
Meanwhile, the football competition’s opening game between NTA and Cool/Wazobia/Nigeria Info FM will hold by 10 a.m. at the Area 3 playground.
The second game between FRCN and NAN will hold from 10:40 a.m.
Also, on the same day, the third game would be between People’s Daily and Brila FM while the fourth game would be between Hot FM and ITV respectively.
On Tuesday, the winner of match 1 will face the winner of match 3, while winner of match 2 will take on the winner of match 4.
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.