Sports
Wrestling: Gov Dickson Classics Most Important For Athletes – NWF President
President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) Hon. Daniel Igali has said the forth-coming 3rd Governor Dickson National Classics is expected to be ‘one of the most important tournaments for athletes and officials’.
The showpiece tournament, which will be staged from 23rd to 30th June, 2019 at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Samson Siasia Sports Stadium in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, will also serve as qualifiers for this year’s All-Africa Games in Morocco and the World Wrestling Championships in Kazakhstan later this year.
With all of Nigeria’s finest wrestlers expected to vie for places at the Africa Games and World Championships, the Olympic champion also expects stiff competition in Yenagoa.
“I think this is going to be, especially for this year and for the purposes of the Olympics, one of the most important tournaments for athletes and officials,” Igali said.
“The gold medalists in the weight classes, especially if an athlete won clearly and squarely, will represent the country automatically at the (All) Africa Games in Morocco and the World Championships in Kazakhstan.
“So, that means a lot for the athletes, and also for the officials, because if your team comes overall first based on our mode of selection, you are going to make the team as one of the technical delegates or a coach going to the World Championships and the Africa Games. So, that means a lot for officials and athletes alike.”
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.
-
News5 days agoDon Savours Inaugural Lecture Presentation, Commends VC
-
News16 hours agoPolice Arrest Nigerian, Two Others For Kidnapping In Edo
-
Business6 hours agoNigeria, AFC sign $1.3 billion deal to build alumina refinery
-
Nation18 hours agoPerm Sec Explains Success Of FGM Elimination Programme In Rivers
-
News16 hours agoNDLEA Arrests Ex-Councillor With 40kg Skunk, Recovers Drugs In Diapers
-
Rivers5 hours agoLGSC Boss Commits To Better Service Delivery
-
News16 hours agoArmy Foils Cattle Rustling, Kills Terrorists In Benue …Rescues Two Kidnapped Bank Staff
-
Nation18 hours agoOgoni Mangrove Wetlands Gain International Recognition As Ramsar Site