Sports
17th NSF: LOC Inaugurate Sub-Committees Tomorrow
Basketballers competing on an excellent court at the last NSF tagged DADA 2009
The Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the hosting of the 17th National Sports Festival tagged “Garden City Games 2010” rose from its meeting at the weekend with a resolve to inaugurate the 18 sub-committees and the Team Rivers to ensure the success of the event.
The sub-committees are accommodation, catering, finance, games village management, general athlete, welfare, liaison, contact, marketing and sponsorship, media and publicity, medical, mobilization, protocol, and ceremonials.
Others are sanitation, secretariat and documentation, security, Team Rivers, participation, transport and traffic management, venues and facilities, and volunteer services.
Briefing newsmen at the end of the meeting presided over by the LOC chairman and the state Deputy Governor, Engr Tele Ikuru, a member of the committee, Dr Sam Sam Jaja said the sub-committees would be inaugurated tomorrow.
According to Dr Jaja, an advert wouild be placed to invite interested persons to design the festival’s mascot and logo, with the winning designer going home with the sum of N100,000.
He said that the inauguration of the sub-committees, preparations for the festival will assume a speedy dimension and expressed the hope that the event will witness an impressive performance from the Team State.
He observed that the reappearance of Hon. Boma Iyaye as Commissioner for Sports was a testimony of his credible performance in the past and expressed the belief that he would do more.
All the facilities for the sports festival, Dr Jaja said would be upgraded to international standard through the assistance of the Governor Amaechi-led administration.
Basketballers competing on an excellent court at the last NSF tagged DADA 2009
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.
-
Business2 days agoNERC Amends Order on Meter Tampering, Power Bypass For Discos
-
News2 days agoPolice Arrest Nigerian, Two Others For Kidnapping In Edo
-
Business2 days agoNigeria, AFC sign $1.3 billion deal to build alumina refinery
-
Rivers2 days agoKENPOLY Rector Promises To Prioritise Students’ Welfare
-
Business2 days agoNCDMB Signs Mgt Deal With Radisson, Edison…As Board’s 204 Rooms Hotel Open December 2026
-
Rivers2 days agoDon, Stakeholders Urge Environmental Laws In N’Delta
-
Rivers2 days agoADIAFRICA Flags-off Free Eye Screening Outreach In PH
-
Environment2 days agoAEPB rates performance of waste evacuation contractors low