Sports
I Deserve Some Respect – Amodu
Under-fire Nigeria coach, Shuaibu Amodu says he has earned the right to treated with respect by the fans and media alike.
Amodu qualified Nigeria for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, but has failed to convince the fans, and is barely tolerated by the local media, many of whom have wasted little time calling for him to be fired and replaced with a foreign manager.
“What they are doing is disrespectful, not only to me, but also to the thousands of local coaches in this country,” Amodu told Tidesports source
“We have qualified this country for the World Cup for the second time. The first time, things had gone so bad that it took a lot of hard work and personal sacrifices both from the players and the coaches to get us there.
As a club coach, Amodu won domestic and continental titles with BCC Lions, and has racked up an impressive competitive record as Nigeria coach, losing just one competitive game in his four spells at the helm, spanning 29 games.
Jis only loss was to the surging Senegal team that went on to beat France enroute to reaching the World Cup quarterfinals, and Amodu insists that those numbers should be enough to earn him credit.
“If they cannot respect me for what I have achieved both as a club coach and national team coach, then they cannot respect any other local coach.”
Calls have been growing increasing strident on the need for a foreign ‘Technical Adviser’, Amodu says he has no objections.
“I am not saying they should not bring their technical adviser, but they should learn to respect those of us who have given everything and achieved a lot with a fraction of the resources that would be spent on a foreign coach.”
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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