Sports
Imo Set To Challenge Delta, Others At NSF
The Imo Sports Council has begun a talent hunt for athletes to represent the state in the National Sports Festival billed for Port Harcourt in November.
Director of Sports, Goddy Agbarakwe told newsmen in Owerri that the objective was to discover athletes who could regain the state’s lost glory in sports.
He noted with regret that the state had become a mere participant in the sports fiesta in recent years.
“For a very long time, Imo has been there to participate, but this time, we have planned to change all that for the better”, he said.
Imo came first in 1996 when it hosted the Games, seventh in 2004 and 2006 respectively and eighth in 2008.
Agbarakwe warned Delta, Lagos, Edo and Oyo States that Imo would no longer be a watcher, but would compete with them for medals.
“We have started preparations. We have already started going to every nook and cranny of the 27 local government areas of the state.
“All sports council officials in the local government areas are working hard to fish out budding talents with the association secretaries and coaches”, he said.
The director said the sports council would start weekend sporting activities and organise seminars for the coaches and secretaries.
He said old athletes who had participated in the Games for the three mandatory times would be invited to transfer their skills to the discovered talents.
Agbarakwe said the athletes would be prepared in 25 sports for the team and individual events.
“We are concentrating on all the 25 sports, including the team, track and field as well as combat events”, he said.
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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