Sports
Nigeria, Second In Weightlifting Youth Olympic Qualifiers
Nigeria’s representatives to the Weightlifting Youth Olympic Qualifiers in Egypt returned to the country with 13 gold, 9 silver and 18 bronze medals.
The weightlifters scored 528 points to place second after the hosts, Egypt, at the event which held from March 19 to March 26.
Egypt won the competition with 552 points, while Tunisia came third with 501.
Uche Onwumeh, Secretary, Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF), applauded their outstanding performance, saying that it was the result of hardwork and commitment.
Onwumeh said the athletes were not internationals and were selected on individual merit at the trial held in Lagos on Feb 28.
“I must commend the commitment of the weightlifters as well as that of the coaches during their training and they have proved their worth with this performance’’. Onwumeh said.
The team, which returned aboard Egypt Air, also won two trophies as the outstanding youth women team of the competition, added the scribe who was visibly happy with the development.
“The striking thing is that they trained here without any training tour and majority of them had their first outing at the qualifier, yet they came out victorious,’’ Onwumeh said.
Patrick Bassey, NWF, Chief Coach, also expressed satisfaction with their performance, saying: “I subjected them to a rigorous training for the tournament’’.
Bassey said his joy was that the lifters did not disappoint the country and that they were flexible and enduring the pains of the activities.
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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