Sports
Black Satellites, Flying Eagles For World Youth Challenge
World Cup Under-20 champions Ghana are among four teams which will participate in the Cape Town International Challenge, set for April 7-10.
The other three countries that will do battle are 4-time Under-20 World champions Brazil, African giants Nigeria, a side who have traditionally been one of the continent’s top youth team performers, and the South African national Under-20 side, Amajita.
Players that participate at this tournament could well go on to star at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Two venues will be used – the Newlands Stadium, and the Cape Town Stadium, which will play host to eight matches at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in June and July this year.
The tournament will be used as a test run for the World Cup, while it will also offer Cape Town fans who could not afford or who were unable to secure tickets for the World Cup, the chance to take in world class action at a very affordable cost – tickets are priced at R20 – R30.
While top class action will be on show, perhaps the most crucial purpose of this tournament will be to provide organisers with a gauge of just how ready Cape Town is to host the World Cup proper.
“This is another step in the evolution towards the World Cup. We have already had two test events – the soccer match (between Ajax and Santos) which hosted 20 000, a rugby match (between Western Province and Boland), which had 40 000 spectators,” said deputy Mayor Ian Neilson.
“There will be a Christian prayer event on the March 22, and the Cape Town international Challenge will be the fourth event, and will host 65 000 people.
“This event will stretch us to the limit; it will ensure we are tested with a full stadium. Many of the eight World Cup games will be at night (as will the matches at the International Challenge), so it will provide us with an indicator of how we can cope with a full stadium at night time,” said Neilson.
Director of Sports and Recreation, Gert Bam, added: “We have worked closely with SAFA Cape Town to get this event going. The City has deemed it fit as our final test because of the significance of the event and the competitors.
“We have made it affordable for people throughout the city to attend. Its going to be a wonderful experience and the people of Cape Town are in for a treat.”
SAFA Cape Town will be working closely with the 24 Local Football Associations to try and tap into the 100 000 amateur players in the region to ensure capacity crowds.
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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