Sports
Iyaya Condoles With Late Ogedengbe’s Family … NFF, NPL Too
Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Boma Iyaye has sympathised with the family of former national team goal keeper, Best Ogedegbe who died on Monday after an eye surgery.
This was contained in a statement signed by the press officer of the Ministry of Sports, Juliana Masi.
According to Iyaye, the death of former goalkeeper trainer of Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt was heartbreaking and he would be missed by all Nigerians, especially those in the sports industry in the country, particularly, Rivers State.
The commissioner prayed God to give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable lost.
He further urged them to be strong as the good legacies left by Ogedengbe would not be forgotten easily.
Until his death, Ogedegbe was in the employment of Dolphins FC, Port Harcourt as goalkeeper trainer.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation NFF and the Nigerian Premier League NPL have expressed deep shock and huge sense of grief at the death of former national goalkeeper Best Ogedegbe, last week.
Ogedegbe was reported to have died after an eye operation at the University College Hospital, Ibadan on Tuesday last week.
In a letter to the family of the departed goaltender, signed by NFF General Secretary Dr Bolaji Ojo-Oba, the Federation wrote: “The death of the affable Best Ogedegbe, who was number one goalkeeper for the national senior team, Green Eagles, when they won the African Cup of Nations for Nigeria for the first time in 1980, has once again robbed our country of a true hero who worked hard and painstakingly for the growth and good of Nigeria football.
“It is on record that late Ogedegbe conceded ONLY one goal in all of Nigeria’s five matches at the African Cup of Nations in 1980, helping in no small way to ensure that the Green Eagles lifted the trophy on home soil with aplomb. His excellent goalkeeping skills are still being lauded almost three decades after.
“Late Ogedegbe was also a pivot of the national U-23 team, as Goalkeeper Trainer, as the team qualified for the 2008 Olympic Games in China and went to Beijing to dazzle the world, picking the silver medal in the process.
“Our consolation at this period is that the late Ogedegbe left his giant footprints in the sands of time. We pray that the Almighty God will grant his very gentle soul eternal rest, and also grant the family he has left behind as well as the Nigeria football fraternity the fortitude to bear the loss.”
Reacting to his death, the NPL Chairman Oyuki Jackson Obaseki,reflected on Ogedegbe’s commitment to his mother land and humility which handed him with many national laurels and concluded that his death has indeed closed another chapter of Nigeria national football heroes.
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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