Sports
Adekanbi, Farombi Win 4th BOVAS Open Golf Tournament
Adedeji Adekanbi and
Tope Farombi yesterday emerged the overall net prize winners in the male and female categories respectively at the fourth edition of the BOVAS Open Golf Tournament.
Tidesports reports that the one-day tournament was held at the Tiger Golf Club, Odogbo Barracks, Ibadan.
Tidesports reports that Farombi won by 95 Gross and 74 Net while Adekanbi won by 64 Net.
Adekanbi, who spoke with newsmen after his victory, said hard work and consistency ensured his triumph.
He said that prior to the competition he was determined to play well and win.
“When I started playing golf in November 2017, I told myself I must play this sport well and be good at it.
“I was second at the last edition and I’m glad I won this year’s edition. I’m a perfectionist and I always make sure I work on all my lapses to get better,” he said.
Adedayo Olabanji, the representative of BOVAS, a leading oil marketing firm, commended participants and urged them to keep striving hard.
Olabanji said that this year’s edition had a higher turnout than previous ones.
” Since the inception of this annual competition, I must say that this year had more participants.
“I want all winners to keep striving hard in getting better; those that didn’t win too should just keep on with getting better,” he said
He assured of a better tournament at the next edition in 2020.
The Captain of Tiger Golf Club, Alfred Amubioyathanked the organisers for hosting the competition at a time the country was in dire need of golfers.
Amubioya said that the tournament attracted many golfers and enthusiasts from across the country.
“We appreciate the sponsor for including golf as its corporate social responsibility to move the frontiers of golfing to greater heights.
“Golf is the closest game to the game we call life. You get bad breaks from good shots,you get good breaks from bad shots but you have to play the ball where it lies,” he said.
The Local Organising Chairman, Chris Nzekea lauded the sponsor for its consistency in the last four years of hosting the tournament.
“They haven’t allowed the unfavorable economic condition to affect the annual hosting and that’s very commendable,” he said.
It would be recalled that no fewer than 140 golfers from across the country took part in the competition.
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.