Sports
‘Team Rivers Still Hopeful Of Good Outing’
Despite an apparent slow start to the 20th National Sports Festival, Edo 2020 by Team Rivers, having garnered eight gold medals with some silver and bronze medals, four days into the fiesta, there are still hope that the state’s contingent would still take the festival by storm and live up to expectation.
Speaking to newsmen in Benin City yesterday as the festival progresses, Rivers State’s Commissioner for Sports, Hon Boma Iyaye said that expections in Team Rivers camp were still
very high. He said that despite the apparent low medal haul in the opening days of the festival, he was confident of the team doing very well. According to him, “the important thing is that the athletes we’re feeling good, well and putting in their best and there’s hope that at the end of the day, they’ll do well and achieve a position befitting to the pride of the state”.
On the chances of the team in the track and field events, scheduled to commence today, where the state is expecting ample medals harvest, Hon Iyaye said that he is hopeful, especially, in high jump, where Big Brother star, looks a sure bet for gold, but that no one should get ahead of himself until the competition is concluded.”We are hopeful but we should not count our chicks before they are hatched. Our athletes are prepared and ready, our Governor provided the wherewithall for us and we’re looking forward to making the state proud”.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports and Head of Festival Committee, Sir Honour Sirawoo, said that it is not over until it is over. He expressed confidence that as the festival progresses and gets to events where the state has some comparative advantage, there are chances that the contingent would surpass the 69 gold medals won at the last festival. He believes that Team Rivers has the potential to emerge overall winners but that recent history shows that states like Delta, Edo and few others should not be discountenanced.
As at press time, many Team Rivers athletes have qualified for the finals of their events, especially, in combat sports and there is hope for more medals.
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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