Sports
Bayelsa Queens Win Flying Officer’s Cup
Bayelsa Queens Football Club has emerged winners of the Flying Officer’s pre-season Cup tournament.
The event was formerly known as the Naija Ratels Pre-Season tournament but renamed the Flying Officer’s Cup in honour of Late Tolulope Arotile, Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot.
The Yenagoa-based team defeated Nasarawa Amazons by a lone goal in the finals of the tournament held at the Aguiyi Ironsi Cantonment, Asokoro on Sunday with eight teams participating.
A 16th minute goal by Barakat Olaiya was enough to separate both sides.
Coach of the team, Moses Aduku, said he was not satisfied with the team’s performance.
“Yes, we won but am not satisfied with the level of play. The team didn’t play as I expected.
“We still have a lot of work to do and this pre-season has exposed a lot of loopholes which we have to work on before the Nigeria Women Premier League (NWPL) begins, on December 9,” Aduku said.
On his part, coach of Nasarawa Amazons, Christopher Danjuma, said he only wanted his team to participate.
“I am not really bothered about the team winning the trophy or not. I am just glad that we have a platform to play after so many months of staying at home due to COVID-19.
“We are here to expose our errors and go back to the drawing board ahead of the league season,” Danjuma said.
Meanwhile, organiser of the event, Paul Edeh, who is also founder of Ratels Sports Development Foundation, said the tournament was organised to support the NWFL in the development of female football.
“This is about one of the best Pre-Season tournaments in Africa, in terms of organisation and more.
“The girls have been able to showcase their talents and prepare well ahead of the new season. Also, we decided to do this to immortalise Arotile.
“We were looking for a female figure in Nigeria who has contributed to the development of this country and she stood out,” he said.
Also, Chairperson of the NWFL, Aisha Falode, while lauding the efforts of Edeh, called for more sponsorship to help promote female football.
AkintundeArotile, late Tolulope’s father, who was also in attendance, said he was happy with the initiative.
“This is a huge honour for our family. Tolulope was always doing her best for her peers and girls below her age.
“She would have loved to be part of such a platform but we are happy on her behalf and we can say that you all are living her dream,” he said.
Teams that participated in the tournament were Honey Badgers and NaijaRatels FC, both based in Makurdi, as well as Edo Queens, Confluence Queens of Lokoja, Kaduna Queens and Royal Queens of Warri.
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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