Sports
Rivers United’s Players Hope To Be Honoured
There are expectations from players of Rivers United Football Club of Port Harcourt that the Rivers State Government would host the team following its impressive performance, which saw it placed on second position on the 2019/2020 Nigeria Professional Football League ( NPFL) table.
Tidesports gathered that the players were filled with high hopes and expectations that the sports loving governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, will honour them at the appropriate time.
United was effectively fighting for the NPFL titled with 45 points, four points behind the league winners, Plateau United of Jos, before the impromptu stoppage of the league, occasioned by the novel Coronavirus (Covid19) pandemic.
They maintained their position after Points Per Game (PPG) formula used by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to end the League with 13 matches left.
The captain of the club, Festus Austin, said their intention was to lift the league trophy for the governor, but the league was stopped half way.
Austin made the assertion in an exclusive interview with Tidesports, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, saying that if not for the Covid19 pandemic,which ended the league suddenly his club would have won the league title.
“We thank God for everything, but our target was to win the league title for the governor, because that is the only way we can pay back the state government.
As a team, we are committed and determined to continue our impressive performance at the continental level,” Austin said.
The skipper further assured Rivers people that the club would bring glory to the state, as they are prepared to win trophies at all football competitions.
Tonye Orabere
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.