Sports
Sports Administrator Tasks NSF’s LOC On Successful Hosting
A former sports administrator in Nigeria, Dr. George Ogan, has urged members of Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the forthcoming 17th National Sports Festival (NSF) slated to hold in Rivers State later this year to see the festival as an opportunity to re-awaken sports in the state.
Dr. Ogan, who was the chairman of Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN) in 1982, said this in an exclusive interview with Tidesports at the weekend in Port Harcourt.
According to him, putting good facilities on ground to host NSF, does not represent a successful hosting of the festival but ensuring that the state is well placed in the medals table at the end of the day.
“I will say that bringing good or world class facilities to host a sports festival does not actually represent effective and successful festival, but the most important thing is to ensure that athletes feel the impact of the sports festival,” he said.
Dr Ogan, who was also the chairman of Rivers State Sports Council from 1973 to 1976 continued that the major objective of sports festivals is to develop sports from the grassroots.
He explained that why Nigeria is not doing well in sports recently is that the spirit of developing young athletes and growing them is no more there and the coaches have lost focus.
“To bring already made athlete to compete in competitions from another state is not the best approach, the best is to go to the local government areas and groom them, send them to school and detail coaches to care for the young athletes.” he stated.
Tonye Orabere
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.