Sports
Plateau United’s Coach Plays Down Failure Effects
Plateau United head coach, Abdu Maikaba, has played down the effect of his side’s failure to win any of the pre-season tournament they took part in.
Plateau United competed at the just concluded Alhan pre season tournament in Kano, where the Club failed to reached the final. The team also lost on penalties to newly promoted side Jigawa Golden Stars, Maikaba has played down the impact of the defeat.
The former Akwa United boss hinted that his objective is blending his newly signed players with the old and new one.
Maikaba added that his players were the better side for the entire duration of the game, but their failure to wrap things up later came back to hunt them.
“Pre-season tournaments are meant to prepare the team and it shouldn’t be what must be won at all costs,” Maikaba said.
“We played the better game throughout the pre-season tournament in Kano but only lost on penalties to Jigawa Golden Stars. We should have wrapped up the game before the end of the 90 minutes but we were not coordinated in the attack.
“We created several chances and should have won had we taken our chances. We were able to epose our players to quality friendly matches and the new players are fast learning our philosophy. We can confidently say that if the season kicks off today we are ready for all teams in the topflight.”
Maikaba confirmed that Plateau United will play another warm up game with Kaduna based National League side Green Berets on Friday .
“We need to fall back to our league, it’s starting on the 3rd of November so there is nothing else to do than just to fall back on the league which is very important for the players”.
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.
-
News1 day agoPolice Arrest Nigerian, Two Others For Kidnapping In Edo
-
Business17 hours agoNigeria, AFC sign $1.3 billion deal to build alumina refinery
-
Business17 hours agoNERC Amends Order on Meter Tampering, Power Bypass For Discos
-
Rivers17 hours agoKENPOLY Rector Promises To Prioritise Students’ Welfare
-
Nation1 day agoPerm Sec Explains Success Of FGM Elimination Programme In Rivers
-
News1 day agoNDLEA Arrests Ex-Councillor With 40kg Skunk, Recovers Drugs In Diapers
-
Rivers16 hours agoDon, Stakeholders Urge Environmental Laws In N’Delta
-
Rivers17 hours agoADIAFRICA Flags-off Free Eye Screening Outreach In PH