Sports
Paralympics: Team Nigeria Grabs Table Tennis Bronze
Team Nigeria lost a game on Wednesday but gained a medal to the bargain at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, bringing their total Games’ haul to seven medals.
Tidesports source reports that Nigeria lost 2-0 to Australia in the semi-finals of the men’s team Class 9 to 10 event of the table tennis competition.
In the doubles game, Tajudeen Agunbiade and Alabi Olufemi lost 3-1 to Australian pair Ma Lin and Joel Coughlan.
After losing the first set 12-10, the Nigerian team fought back to win 11-8, only to lose 12-10 again in the third set.
They however failed to keep up the momentum by losing the fourth set 11-5 for a 3-1 major score line.
Ma went on to beat Agunbiade 3-2 in the opening singles, coming from two sets down (8-11, 9-11) to win the final three sets 11-3, 11-9, 11-8.
The loss meant Australia went 2-0 up to make the third game, the singles involving Olufemi and Coughlan, unnecessary in this best-of-three fixture.
Australia will go on to face China today in the final, after the Chinese beat Ukraine 2-0 in the other semi-final fixture.
Tidesports source reports that Nigeria now has three gold, one silver and three bronze medals from the Games, with just four days to the end of competition on Sunday.
Nigeria’s involvement in competition at the Games continues today at the Olympic Stadium.
That is when Eucharia Iyiazi joins 15 others to do battle for the three available medals in the women’s shot put F57 event.
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.