Sports
NDSA Honours Sports Personalities, Dec
The organisers of Niger Delta Sports Award ( NDSA) says arrangement has been concluded to recognise and award outstanding sports personalities in the region, December this year.
Chairman of the organizing committee, Comrade Adie Thomas, said the award is to appreciate individuals and corporate orgnizations that have contrbuted towards the development of sports in the Niger Delta Region.
Thomas said this in a media parley with sports journalists, at the Ernest Ikoli Press Centre, Moscow Road Port Harcourt, at the weekend.
According to him, the award is to encourage those who are actually doing well in sports development.
“We deemed it necessary to acknowledge, encourage, honour and celebrate those that are making Niger Delta Region proud in the sporting industry” Thomas said.
He noted that the region in recent times have been dominating major competitions and tournaments in Nigeria, mostly the National Youth Games (NYG).
We have some governors and individuals who have taken upon themselves to invest in the industry such persons deserve award” he stated.
The chairman further explained that, the initiative is also to empower youths in the area, because once people invest in sports the youths are the direct beneficiaries.
“With sports, many of our youth will see reason not to indulge in crime. The NDSA has come to stay and it is going to be an annual event.
Am sure very soon Niger Delta region will become reference and focus point of Africa in terms of sports tourism, and this will inspire other Africa regions” he explained.
Thomas further revealed that the event is scheduled to hold at Hotel Presidential, December, in Port Harcourt
The categories are; Sports governor of the year, Royal father, Players, philanthropist others.
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.