Sports
Rivers Angels Coach Lauds Players …As They Beat Osun Babes 2-1
Head coach of Rivers Angels FC, of Rivers State, Edwin Okon, lauded his players, as they beat Osun Babes, of Osun State 2-1, last Thursday, at Yakubu Gowon Stadium, in Port Harcourt.
The encounter was a rescheduled match day three of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL).
Briefing sports journalists after the game, Coach Okon said that the important thing in a league competition is to secure the three points at stake.
“It was a very good game, especially grabbing the three points in front of your home fans and supporters. This is a good result for the club, “Okon said.
“Winning is very important and that is what the team wants, and to qualify for the top four,” he said.
The Jewel of Rivers gets the first goal in the 13th minute by Blessing Okpe, while the second goal was in the 56th minute. As Osun Babes scored their consolation goal in the 82nd minute by Omodele Kemi, that came from the bench.
Also speaking, the head coach of Osun Babes, Liadi Bashir described the match as very interesting, saying that both teams put in a good performance.
He commended the referee for his unbiased officiating and attributed their loss to fatigue.
“We came a bit late for the match that is why we struggled in the first half of the game. In the second half, we were better than them,” Bashir said.
He noted that his club is currently at the bottom on the league table, but expressed confidence that his team would come tops before the League will end.
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.