Sports
Kickboxing Coach Decries Lack Of Gymnasium
Cletus Okegbe, the national coach of the Nigeria Kickboxing Federation (NKF), has decried the lack of a standard gymnasium for the sport at the National Stadium, Lagos.
Okegbe told newmen in Lagos at the weekend that the facility was needed to address the problem faced by kickboxers.
The coach said athletes currently used the open space behind the main bowl of the stadium for training.
“Athletes’ lives are put at risk by training on a cemented floor and their kicks are limited.
“The floors are expected to be padded so that athletes will not sustain injuries when they fall during training,” he said.
Okegbe described the training environment as unfriendly to the athletes and urged the National Sports Commission to quickly address the situation.
He advised upcoming athletes to ensure that they were groomed by certified coaches to attain greatness.
“If the federation had a gym, there would have been a check on the activities of charlatans but because this basic facility is lacking, athletes get misled,” he said.
The coach said the rules of the sport were dynamic such that only coaches whose knowledge was regularly updated would be allowed to handle athletes, especially at the state level.
He reminded state coaches to attend the upcoming course organised by the NKF in Benue in July for coaches and referees.
“The purpose of the course is to update the technical officials on the current developments in the rules which will be applied at the National Sports Festival later this year,” Okegbe 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.