Sports
LSSC Conducts Screening For Athletes Ahead NYG
The Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) at the weekend, said it had conducted screening for all athletes that would represent the state at the forthcoming National Youth Games holding next month in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The LSSC Director of Public Relations, Titi Oshodi, said that the exercise took place inside the main bowl of the Teslim Balogun Stadium.
“The exercise was embarked upon by the sports commission in order to ensure that only eligible athletes are taken to Ilorin for the multi-games competition.
“Some of the associations chairmen, secretaries, coaches and parents were in attendance,” she said.
The Director-General, Lagos State Sports Commission, Oluwatoyin Gafaar, said that the screening became necessary toward achieving success at the Games.
“More importantly, to mitigate the chances of the state athletes being screened out from participating at the Games, hence, denying them the opportunity to showcase their talents.
“The process was transparent and straight forward. In Lagos, we adhere to rules and regulations of the National Youth Games and that’s why we brought all the athletes with their coaches and parents to see the genuineness.
“Our focus and determination is to play by the rules. I am really happy for what we’ve done and every one of us can see that the process was fair.
“We are all happy and parents don’t have reasons to complain. The athletes are also happy and coaches now know that they have new challenges of training and working harder in preparing the athletes for a successful outing in Ilorin,” she said.
“We made a promise to our amiable Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, that we will not disappoint him because he has played his own part by providing everything for us to succeed.
“This is the beginning of the process of fulfilling our promise to make the state proud at the Games,” Gafar said.
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
-
News17 hours agoPolice Arrest Nigerian, Two Others For Kidnapping In Edo
-
Business7 hours agoNigeria, AFC sign $1.3 billion deal to build alumina refinery
-
Nation19 hours agoPerm Sec Explains Success Of FGM Elimination Programme In Rivers
-
News17 hours agoNDLEA Arrests Ex-Councillor With 40kg Skunk, Recovers Drugs In Diapers
-
Rivers7 hours agoLGSC Boss Commits To Better Service Delivery
-
Rivers7 hours agoKENPOLY Rector Promises To Prioritise Students’ Welfare
-
Rivers7 hours agoADIAFRICA Flags-off Free Eye Screening Outreach In PH