Sports
FCT, Edo, Others Win CBN Titles
Players from the Federal Capital Territory, Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and hosts Lagos States were among champions at the 13th Central Bank of Nigeria Junior Tennis Championship, which ended at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan at the weekend.
Playing in the boys 10 and under category, Yohana Yakubu from FCT defeated hard-fighting Arwal Jaji from Lagos 8-10, 10-7, 10-8 to emerge champion while Lore Lax Holzendorf beat Esther Ehimebe 2-1, 10-5, 2-10, 10-5.
The boys U-12 was won by the sensational Seun Ogunshaki from Ekiti, while Nene Yakubu of Lagos outclassed Favour Amaechi from Rivers to claim the girls 12 and under title. Also victorious was Akwa Ibom’s David Ekpeyong, who ran home with the boys 14 and under trophy, when he defeated Oyo’s Ganiyu Mubarak 10-4, 10-2.
Suleiman Ibrahim from Abuja beat David Dawariye from Rivers 10-4, 7-10,10-8 in a hard-fought U-16 boys final battle to come out tops even as Omolade Aderemi from Ondo conquered Ekiti’s Omolayo Bamidele to emerge as the U-16 girls queen.
Serena Teluwo(Lagos) won the U-14 girls by defeating Abuja’s Salamatu Haruna 10-5, 10-7 in the final.
Speaking at the final ceremony, Isaac Okorafor, Director, Corporate Communications Department, CBN, who represented the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, reaffirmed the bank’s resolve to ensure better future for Nigerian youths.
Okorafor said the event, which is open to boys and girls within 10 and 18 years since its inception in 2006, has remained a very important event on the national tennis calendar, hence the need to maintain the objectives which include ensuring that young talents are discovered early enough and nurtured to limelight while establishing a strong transition platform to the senior category.
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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