Sports
Rivers United Submits Petition Against Jigawa
Rivers Commissioner for Sports, Boma Iyaye, says the management of Rivers United Football Club has officially written to the League Management Company (LMC), protesting the use of an ineligible player in the club’s match day 34 encounter with Jigawa Golden Stars in Kaduna.
This was carried in a statement signed and made available to Tidesports Monday, by the press officer to the state government, Daniel Nwankwoala.
Jigawa Golden Stars had featured one Christopher Richard in the NPFL fixture despite being informed by the LMC prior to the encounter that he was not eligible to play, having accumulated five yellow cards.
According to LMC guidelines for the league, “if it is established that, a team intentionally featured a player who had earlier received five (5) yellow cards or red card before the match in question, the affected team will lose 3 points 3 goals to its opponent.”
Iyaye, who stated this at the sideline of Rivers United match against FC Ifeanyi Ubah in Port Harcourt, called on the LMC to do justice to the petition to further restore clubs, administrators and football fans’ confidence in the league.
“This is a straight forward issue that requires no long stories. The LMC is well aware of the case in question and even wrote the club, informing them of the player’s ineligibility, but Jigawa still went ahead and used him.
“We do not want to believe that the LMC will allow its image to be rubbished over a matter that is so easy to judge and sanction. As a club, Rivers United has played by the rule book and we expect same to apply in this case.
“The NPFL season is running smoothly; the LMC should not mar its own achievements by inviting unnecessary backlash from various football stakeholders within and outside Nigeria,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Barr Boma Iyaye has commended Rivers Angels Football Club for emerging victorious in the opening match of the CAF Women Champions League qualifier against Hasaacas Ladies of Ghana.
He assured them of all necessary support, adding that Governor NyesomWike has given a marching order to ensure that the team lacked nothing needed to aid victory and ultimately win the cup.
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.
-
News1 day agoPolice Arrest Nigerian, Two Others For Kidnapping In Edo
-
Business16 hours agoNigeria, AFC sign $1.3 billion deal to build alumina refinery
-
Rivers16 hours agoKENPOLY Rector Promises To Prioritise Students’ Welfare
-
Business16 hours agoNERC Amends Order on Meter Tampering, Power Bypass For Discos
-
Nation1 day agoPerm Sec Explains Success Of FGM Elimination Programme In Rivers
-
News1 day agoNDLEA Arrests Ex-Councillor With 40kg Skunk, Recovers Drugs In Diapers
-
Rivers16 hours agoDon, Stakeholders Urge Environmental Laws In N’Delta
-
Rivers16 hours agoADIAFRICA Flags-off Free Eye Screening Outreach In PH