Sports
Perm Sec Lauds Information Football Team
In appreciation of the performance of the “Mighty Sparrows” of Information at the recently concluded Head of Service Football Competition, the Management of the Ministry led by the permanent Secretary, Dr. Godwin Mpi, has organised a reception for the player.
Speaking at the reception, the Permanent Secretary congratulated them for their brilliant performance, adding that although they did not lift the trophy, they performed credibly well.
He assured the players of the Ministry’s support and encouragement in subsequent compeitiotns and enjoined them to put in more effort.
Dr. Mpi commended the Head of Service, Mrs Esther Anucha for instituting the competition and for seeing the need for Civil Servants in the State to be involved in Sporting activities.
He thanked the Directors in the Ministry, the General Managers of the Parastatals for their support both morally and financially, and the Coach of the team Mr. Walter Inegbenesie for his effort in training the team and early procurement of kits for the competition.
In her address, the General Manager of Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation, Ms. Medline Tador, commended the players for their collective efforts which placed them in a second position in the competition.
She congratulated the team for not conceding any goal during the match, stressing that although they lost through penalty Kicks to Ministry of Commerce and Industry, they were not losers.
Speaking on behalf of the players, the Captain of the team, Mr. Honour Sirawoo, thanked the Permanent Secretary and the entire ministry for the reception, noting that they never expected a reception having lost the final.
He thanked the players for their cooperation and the management for their support and assured them that the team will do better next year.
The highlight of the progamme was the presentation of a total cash gift of N150,000 to the team.
It will be recalled that the Mighty Sparrows of Information, a team which represented the Ministry of Information at the just concluded Head of Service football competition, lost to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry 4-3 during a penalty shoot out. Before Commerce and Industry, the team encountered various ministries without conceding a goal: the journey began with beating Local Government Commission 4-0, next was Deputy Governor’s Office which bowed 1-0 to them and Ministry of Sports which crashed 2 -0 to them. The Team in addition to being the runner up also produced the highest goal scorer of the league, Mr Francis Edookor.
Athletes competing in an almost empty stadium.
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.