Sports
Emulate Edo First Lady, Dare Tasks Governors’ Wives
Youth and Sports Development Minister, Sunday Dare has challenged the wives of the States’ Chief Executives to emulate the First Lady of Edo State, Betsy Obaseki in the areas of youth and sports development.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the first edition of the Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament in Benin City, Edo State on Sunday, the Sports Minister urged other women in positions of influence and authority to use their good offices to promote sports and other good causes.
Twelve teams, eight of them in the Nigeria Women Football top-flight league participated in the tournament, earning handsome cash prizes in the process.
Winners Bayelsa Queens earned the top prize of five million naira, runners up Rivers United got three million naira. Third and fourth-placed Edo Queens and FC Robo got two and one million naira respectively while all the other teams that could not go beyond the group stage smiled home with half a million naira each.
Tidesports source reports that Her Excellency, Betsy Obaseki also used the tournament to preach against human trafficking and other gender-based abuses and crimes.
“What the First Lady of Edo State has done is worthy of emulation. The impact, not just in sports but on the social lives of these young girls cannot be quantified,” Sports Minister Sunday Dare told the audience at the closing ceremony.”
“Helping to fight against social vices like human trafficking and other discriminatory offenses against women using sports is something that all influential women in power should do,” he added.
Some of those present at the closing ceremony of the tournament were the First Ladies of Osun and Bayelsa states, the wife of the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Maryann Philip Shuaibu and the first vice president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Barrister Seyi Akinwumi.
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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