Sports
Okagbare, Metu Win Mobil 100m Titles
U.S-based Blessing Okagbare in Calabar at the weekend maintained her top rating by defending her title at the on-going 21st Nigeria/NNPC/Mobil Track and Field Championships.
She won the women’s 100 metres race with a time of 11.06 seconds at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, leaving Damola Osayomi of the International Civil Defence Organisations (ICDO) to finish second.
Osayomi returned a time of 11.23, with Agnes Osazuwa of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) in third place with a time of 11.45 seconds.
Lauretta Ozoh of Delta was fourth with 11.60, a hundredth of a second ahead of Sola Ogundemi of the Civil Defence Academy (CDA) who was fifth in 11.61.
Halimat Ismaila of Delta was sixth with 11.72 while Gloria Bassey of ICDO and Chinazom Amadi of Nigerian Prisons were seventh and eighth with 11.78 and 11.92 respectively.
In the men’s race, Obinna Metu of the Nigerian Prisons won with a time of 10.25 while Delta state’s Egwero Ogho-Oghene came second with 10.40 and Benjamin Adukwu of Ondo State was third in 10.45.
Frederick Agbaje of NSCDC finished fourth with 10.52 while Peter Emelieze of Nigerian Prisons was fifth with 10.53 and Stanley Gbegbeke of Delta was sixth with 10.56.
Nwogu Onyeabor of Nigerian Prisons Service was in seventh place with 10.70 while Ahmed Kasumu placed last with a time of 10.74.
The championships ended on Saturday.
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.