Sports
20th NSF: Delta, Others Break Swimming Records
The swimming event of the ongoing National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged “Edo 2020” on Monday produced new records.
Tidesports source reports that new national records were set by swimmers from Delta, Bayelsa and Edo on Day 1 of competition in the event.
Ifiesegba Gagbe of Bayelsa became the new record-holder in the 100m freestyle women with her time of 1:01.54 minute.
She broke the record of 1:02.66min set by Okpilobo of Ondo State at the Lagos 2012 edition of the festival.
Similarly, Uwaje Ilayefa of Edo, who came second with a time of 1:01.96 also surpassed the former record-holder time.
A new record was also set in the 200m butterfly women by Delta’s Timipamere Akiayefa.
Meanwhile, Bayelsa and Delta have started the rush for gold at the ongoing NSF by winning five gold medals apiece on Day 1 of the festival.
Tidesports source gathered that seven of the 10 gold medals won by both states came from the swimming competition.
While Team Bayelsa claimed three gold medals from the pool, Delta won four to close the opening day with five gold medals each.
Team Delta started the day with a gold medal in cycling when Ese Ukpeseraye beat 12 other cyclists to the finish line in the 80km road race for women.
Tidesports also reports that in swimming, the 100m breaststroke men event was won by Foresight Osamezu of Delta with Edo and Cross River winning the silver and bronze medals, respectively.
Bayelsa’s Ifiezegbe Gagbe won the women’s 100m freestyle, with Edo winning the silver and Delta’s Timipamere Akiayefa winning the bronze medal.
Again, Akiayefa of Delta won her first gold medal of the day after the bronze medal she won earlier.
She raced to the finishing line ahead of Kano State and Bayelsa athletes in the women’s 200m Butterfly.
It was another gold medal for Delta in the 50m backstroke women event as Akiayefa won her third medal of the day, the second gold.
Edo and Bayelsa athletes finished second and third respectively.
Team Bayelsa also won two gold medals and a bronze medal in judo to cap a memorable opening day of action at the 20th NSF.
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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