Sports
NSF: Wrestling Coach Assures On Team’s Readiness
The Chief Coach of Rivers State wrestling Association, Eli Oyonumunede, has stated his team’s readiness for the forthcoming National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged “Edo 2020” scheduled to hold this year in Benin City.
Coach Oyonumunede disclosed this Wednesday, during an exclusive interview with Tidesports in Port Harcourt.
According to him, he is prepared for the competition and his athletes are also set for the festival and are determined to do the state proud when the NSF eventually gets underway.
He explained that the team on it’s part has been working hard to ensure that the state wrestlers complete with honours and are eager to compete favourably, but need to participate in one or two competitions to test their ability and be in the appropriate shape for the NSF.
No competition to further fortify our preparation for now, we expect to be in camp by now, but still awaiting on the state government, for a go ahead.
”Rivers is a home of wrestling, so we are ever ready, but we need adequate preparation. They may call for camp when they return from team sports zonal elimination,” he said.
He urged his players not to relent in their training, adding that they should double their efforts in their training pace as well as exhibit discipline in all their dealings in order to have a better outing at the NSF come March in Edo.
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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