Sports
WADFU: Deaf Eagles Depart For Tournament In Sierra Leone
The national deaf football team, known as “Deaf Eagles”, yesterday departed the country aboard Africa World Airline (AWA) for the 8th West Africa Deaf Football Union (WADFU) tournament in Sierra Leone.
Amuda Ibrahim, Director, Nigeria Deaf Sports Union (NDSU), told newsmen that the contingent comprising 15 players and one official left from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
Tidesports source reports that Nigeria alongside hosts Sierra Leone, Senegal, Guinea, Ghana, Mali and Burkina Faso will feature in the WADFU tournament holding in Freetown from September 27 to October 6.
“The first batch of players comprising 15 players and national coach, Banjo Kamiludeen, left this morning through the Murtalla Mohammed International Airport, Lagos for the deaf football tournament taking place in Sierra Leone.
“It’s a thing of joy that at last the Deaf Eagles are able to make it to the tournament because the challenges encountered in the whole thing was much,” he said.
He named the players as Ishode Nelson, Uzoma Victor, Adamu Sulaiman, Bulus Emmanuel, Adaola Adegoke, Oluwafemi Solomon, Uchechi Chinonye, Ezeama Chukwudi, Joel Somidah, Charles Jonah, Bello Shuaibu, Oyelekan Amousa, Olatunji Samson, Yakubu Ahamadu and Yau Elsaleh.
According to him, the remaining three players who could not secure seats would join the others today, adding that they were able to secure only 16 seats in the flight.
Meanwhile, Kamiludeen, national coach of the Nigeria Deaf Football Association (NDFA), said that the players had trained well and were in good shape for a victorious outing in the tournament.
He said that necessary preparations were thoroughly done and that the boys were happy to go fly the country’s flag and lift the tournament’s trophy to book a place in Africa Nations Cup.
“We are battle ready, the boys are excited that they are going to represent their country, Nigeria and we are assuring the nation that we will deliver.
“The tournament is also a qualification event for the Africa Deaf Nations Cup, so our target is to lift this trophy which will guarantee us qualification to the Africa Nations Cup,” he added.
Tidesports gathered that Nigeria Deaf Eagles rank number one by WADFU rankings and have made five outings in the annual tournament and also are three times champions and two times runners up.
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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