Sports
Canoeing, Rowing & Sailing: Nigeria Set For Tokyo 2021 -Minister
Nigeria is set to participate in the sport of Canoeing, Rowing and Sailing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Sunday Dare, the Minister of Sport and Youth Development, made the remarks at the closing of the ‘2021Admiral Porbeni Boat Race’ on Saturday in Abuja.
The boat race was organised by the Nigeria Canoe, Rowing and Sailing Federation at the Jabi Lake in Abuja.
He said the ministry would continue to support federation to organise competitions that would help their athletes to prepare for Tokyo.
“They (athletes) placed us on qualification table to Olympics and some of our elite at sports also won medals at all Africa games.
“They have shown their talent in the competition today and we will work with the Federation to organise more competition,’’ the minister said.
According to him, the ministry is working with the Edo government to organise a successful National Sports Festival. (NSF)
A total of 11 states, clubs and individuals participated in the competition.
The Tide sports source report that the event which began on Thursday and ended on Saturday, saw Ayomide Bello, from Edo won four gold medals at the ‘2021Admiral Porbeni Boat Race’ on Saturday in Abuja.
11 states, clubs and individuals participated in the three days three-day events.
The competition was organised by the Nigeria Canoe, Rowing and Sailing Federation at the Jabi Lake in Abuja.
Bello is the number one in Africa confederation in the sport.
She won her first gold in women race 1 C1 500m, first position and received N100,000 prize.
The second position was won by Goodness Foloky, an individual athlete, who received N70,000 while the third position went to Esther Toko from Delta, with N50,000 prize.
Bello won her second gold in 500M C1, her third gold in 200M C2 mixed double and the third gold in 500M C2 mixed double.
“I’m happy with this record; I will continue to train with or without a coach to have a good record in Tokyo,’’ she said.
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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