Sports
All Africa Badminton Championship Begins In PH
The 2019 All Africa Senior Badminton Championship billed for Port Harcourt between today and weekend serves off at the main hall of the Alfred Diete-Spiff Sports Complex today.
Already, most of the 18 countries expected for the championship being sponsored by the Rivers State government in conjunction with the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, BFN, arrived Port Harcourt at the weekend.
Most of the teams held other training sessions at the venue yesterday and are ready to go. According to the organisers, the championship will commence with the opening ceremony and the team events today.
Meanwhile, towards a successful media coveys of the championship, the BFN yesterday organised a one day retreat on the fundamentals of the game for members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Rivers State chapter.
The retreat was held at the Alfred Diete Spiff sports complex Port Harcourt, yesterday ahead the All Africa Senior Badminton Championship (AASBC) slated for today in the state.
Speaking at the event the resource person, Deputy Referee of the championship, Bayo Ilori, explained that the game has single, doubles and mix doubles players.
According to him, the match consists of best of three games of 21 points adding that, at 20 all, the player who gains a two points lead first, wins the game.
“At 29 all, the side scoring the 30th points win that game. The side winning a game server first in the game. The same counting for single doubles and mix -doubles,”Ilori said.
He further explained that, if the laws are continuously broken by a player then the referee has the power to dock that player points and can disqualify him for persistent faults.
“Players must serve diagonally across the net to their opponent. The referee has overriding call on infringement and faults. The game has only two rest period,’ he noted.
He also said that, a red card is given to a single player or doubles pair to penalize subsequent infractions after receiving a yellow card, adding that it counts as fault.
The judge noted that opposing side is awarded apoint saying that, after a second red card a player or pair may be disqualified with a black card by the umpire after being authorised by the referee.
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.