Sports
U-17 Cricket Qualifiers: Coach Attributes Losses To Inexperience
Coach of FCT male Cricket team, James Imhanlahimi, says his side lost its first two matches at the Under-17 National North Central Zonal Qualifiers due to inexperience.
The competition is currently on at the MoshoodAbiola national stadium, Abuja.
Imhanlahimi told Tidesports source on Saturday in Abuja that his lads couldn’t match the skills and experience of Teams Kogi and Kwara.
“The boys started playing cricket not quite long and it was only a few days ago that they were introduced to hard bats and balls. So, the game was difficult for them.
“The competition is a learning curve and a good experience for the boys. We will continue to train them for subsequent competitions,” he said.
In the first game, Kwara won the toss, elected to bat and scored 296 runs for the loss of no wicket.
FCT came in to chase and scored 51 runs in 11 overs, all wickets out. Kwara won by 245 runs.
In the second game, FCT won the toss against Kogi and elected to bat. FCT scored 66 runs in 14.3 overs with all wickets out while Kogi needed only 5.5 overs to score 69 runs for the loss of one wicket. Kogi by nine wickets.
FCT was sheduled to play its last game against Plateau yesterday.
The best players in the tournament would be selected for the finals of the event, scheduled for February 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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