Sports
FA Cup: City Draws Newcastle, Arsenal Visits Sheffield Utd
Holders Manchester City will travel to Newcastle United in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Arsenal, who has won the FA Cup a record 13 times, visits Sheffield United while Chelsea, who last won it in 2018, is away to Leicester.
The final game sees Norwich host either Manchester United or Derby, who plays on Thursday.
The matches will be played across the weekend of 21 and 22 March.
Pep Guardiola’s City side progressed to the last eight with a 1-0 win at Championship side Sheffield Wednesday to continue their quest for a domestic and European cup treble.
Arsenal had become the first team in the hat when they beat League One Portsmouth on Monday, while Sheffield United progressed to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2014 with a 2-1 extra-time win at Reading.
Chelsea beat runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool 2-0 last Tuesday, thanks to goals from Willian and Ross Barkley while Leicester edged out Championship side Birmingham 1-0 thanks to right-back Ricardo Pereira’s late header.
Norwich reached the quarter-finals for the first time since the 1991-92 season by beating Tottenham 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
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.