Sports
Supporters, Globacom To Take Five To World Cup
Five Nigerian fans will travel to South Africa to watch the 2010 World Cup free, President-General of Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC) Rafiu Ladipo has said.
Ladipo told the newsmen in Lagos at the weekend that the NSFC would partner with telecommunication company, Globacom, on the project, expected to run from April 3 to May 29.
He said there would be two draws, which would be made on April 30 and May 29 at the National Stadium and the NSFC Secretariat respectively.
He said participants were expected to text “Support” to a dedicated number.
He said 10 Nigerian fans benefitted from a similar project in 2008 for the Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana.
In another development, Ladipo announced that the club had concluded arrangements to register 1,000 members, who it believed would not constitute any embarrassment to NSFC.
He said the planned registration was for “elites with good means of livelihood, who are not likely to constitute any form of liability to the club, nor bring the image of the country to disrepute during the World Cup.
“They are people who are expected to be well behaved because of their status in the society and are not likely going to do anything negative.
“We are calling on Nigerians in this class to come forward and join us to cheer the Super Eagles to victory in South Africa,” he added.
He said the club was composing a special motivating song for the Super Eagles.
“When the song is released we expect all Nigerians to learn it and sing along and pray for the team to do well,” the supporters club chief 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.