Sports
Oduduru Is Medal Prospect For Nigeria In Tokyo – Soetan
AFN board member and athletics Coach, Olalekan Soetan, has lauded Nigerian male sprint sensation, Divine Oduduru, a 100m athlete for his excellent performance at the Micheal Johnson Invitational meet in Texas.
Divine ran 9.94 in the 100 metres and less than an hour after; he ran 19.76 seconds for 200 metres, the fastest time in the world this year and a national record.
Soetan, speaking to Tidesports source stated that he expects Oduduru to make the podium at the 2020 Olympics next year in Tokyo, even as they had been expecting him to run a sub 10 for some time now.
“Divine Oduduru was a world junior champion, silver medalist in 200 meters, 2014”.
“He moved from junior national athlete to continental, recently African champion was silver medalist for Nigeria”.
“Moved to the USA two years ago, so he has been training hard and we have been expecting it”.
“This year, he did a 6’5, ran indoors 6’6 and anybody who does that will run a sub 10 and he has done it, we have been expecting it, that has been the best any Nigerian has done since Fasuba in the last 13 years with 9.84 African records”.
“If you recall, he did 9.94 remarkably, 45 minutes later, he 19.76 in the 200 meters…If you recall, Usain Bolt won 200 in Brazil with 19.8, that simply means that Divine is a world class athlete and podium prospect come Tokyo 2020”.
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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