Sports
NPFL: We Deserve To Be Crowned Champions – Golbe
Plateau United Captain, Elisha Golbe, says he is disappointed that his side will not be crowned Nigeria Professional Football League champions this season with all the accompanying fanfare.
Plateau United were the favourite to win the 2019-2020 Nigeria Professional Football League season, but their dream suffered huge set back as the campaign was cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic, with 13 matches remaining.
After long deliberation, the Nigeria Football Federation, League Management Company and the 20 Club Chairmen agreed to end the season abruptly without crowing champions.
While speaking to Tidesports source, Elisa, said his side deserved to be crowned Champions by the LMC and other stakeholders with all the ceremonies as true champions.
“It was disappointing that we were not crowned as champions with because I believed we deserved it.
“We were the most consistent team, won most ceremonies matches, conceded the least goals and we sat comfortably on top of the table, so it is sad that they didn’t award us the title”, he told Tidesports source.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation and the League Management Company adopted point per game model to determine the final, standing and Plateau United kept their place on top of the league.
They are joined by Enyimba in the CAF Champions League next season.
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.