Sports
Anambra Targets 10 Gold Medals At Sports Festival
Chidiogo Mbanefo, Anambra Director of Sports (Operations), says the state aims to win 10 gold medals at the 17th National Sports Festival.
The festival holds in Port Harcourt from June 27 to July 11.
Mbanefo told newsmen at the Chuba Ikpeazu Stadium, Onitsha, that athletes in the combat sports would help the state to achieve the target. He said that the state had comparative advantage in the combat sports, especially boxing and judo.
The director said the coaches and athletes had raised their training to ensure undisputed wins in their events.
He said that the state would be represented by 195 athletes while 40 others had been sent home.
“We want a situation where only the best that will give us our target are selected and to check redundancy and truancy among our athletes during the festival,” he said.
On the weather, Mbanefo said that Onitsha presented a good cold weather for the athletes’ preparation since they might meet the same condition in Port Harcourt.
He said that the sports ministry had made adequate arrangement for the welfare of Team Anambra.
In a related development, Innocent Nwaokocha, Boxing Coach of Team Anambra, told newsmen that he was expecting at least three gold medals from 10 of his boxers.
“We have worked so hard and I am sure we will not disappoint the state. We have trained to the highest and toughest standard.
“And we have received a lot of encouragement in terms of finance and kits from the sports ministry unlike before,” Nwaokocha 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.