Sports
Okrika LGA Wins Tennis, Swimming Tournament
The 2011 Junior Tennis and Swimming tournament organised by Total at the Port Harcourt Club, Port Harcourt, ended at the weekend with Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State finishing tops after clinching the highest number of medals in the various categories of the competition.
The Local Government won 13 gold, nine silver, and four bronze medals, numbering 26 in all, while Ogu Bolo Local Government came second with one gold, one silver and four bronze medals totaling six.
Other LGAs that participated in the tournament were Abua Odual, which won two silver and two bronze medals, Ogba Egbema Ndoni LGA, two silver medals, while Ahoada West and Ahoada East Local Government Areas, won one and two bronze medals, respectively.
Presenting the awards to the winners, the Deputy Managing Director, Port Harcourt District of Total, Mr Denis Berthelot said that the company’s commitment to sporting development in the state was another dimension to the implementation of its corporate social responsibility initiative.
The DMD posited that the company’s interest in sports development was centered on “identifying young talents early and giving them the support to rise to the professional status.”
While congratulating the winners in the various categories of the competition, he solicited for a joint support to make the budding talents future champions.
The DMD, also thanked the management of Port Harcourt Club for offering their sporting facilities for the tournament.
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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