Sports
Ogoni Champions Cup Final Comes Up, July 18
Organisers of the maiden edition of Ogoni Champions Cup has announced the postponement of the final match earlier scheduled to have held Sunday, 6th June, to Sunday 18th July, 2010, in order to enable officials and players concentrate on the FIFA World Cup which kicks off in South Africa.
According to the organizers, the shift in date was to afford them the opportunity to put finishing touches to issues such as the Ogoni central stadium playing pitch to ensure a better final ceremony as a show of appreciation to the youths and the entire people of Ogoniland.
This includes those who have shown tremendous support to the competition, which kicked-off on the 25th of last month at the Ogoni central stadium, Bori.
Meanwhile, president of the Ogoni Football Organisation (OFO), Martins Giadom said that 12 teams, three each, coming from the four local government areas of the Ogoni kigdom has established tremendous character, skill and discipline up to the final stage of the competition.
He however, noted the few negative side of the event as absence of standard playing surfaces and sponsors.
“the spreading of the matches to the different venues in the four local government area, the high standard of organization and quality of games played so far may also have necessitated the wide acceptability of project by the people who have been desirous of good quality football”, the president noted.
He remarked that in some of the matches concluded so far, the famous Anglican Dioceses FC of Ogoni went down 2-0 on penalties, to Bori United Stars, in the first semi-final of the competition, while Gokana United FC best 1-0 to Indomitable Lions.
The body expressed its appreciation to philanthropist Chief Solomon Doctor Lah, for his financial support.
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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