Sports
Taekwondo Imposes Fitness Criterion: All Africa Games
The Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) yesterday said that only fit athletes would be taken to the All Africa Games (AAG) in Maputo in September.
“Any athlete who is diagnosed of a serious health issue will be dropped from participating in AAG because we are not going to compromise the health of any of our athletes,” NTF secretary Chinedu Ezeala- Ogundare told newsmen in Lagos.
“Even if that will be the only athlete to give us a gold medal at the competition, we are not going to risk it.”
Ezeala-Ogundare explained that the decision was informed by the experience of one of the athletes, Temidayo Jegede, at the 2012 London Olympics qualifiers in Baku, Azerbaijan, early this month.
She said that Jegede had irregular breathing which led to his disqualification, adding that the athletes would be thoroughly screened to assess their medical fitness.
The secretary said Chiamaka Onumonu, who fights in the heavyweight division, had been dropped from the national camp because of poor performance at the 17th National Sports Festival.
She said that Onumonu had been replaced by Plateau’s Joyce Joseph who won gold at the festival.
The secretary said that the performance of the athletes at the festival was one of the criteria for selection to camp.
“The federation made use of the festival as a criterion to adjudge fighters by stating that those who do not win a medal will not be allowed to return to the camp for the AAG,” she said.
Ezeala-Ogundare also said that the federation felt bad that Chika Chukwumerije did not qualify in Baku for the London Olympics but noted that he still had another opportunity in Egypt in January.
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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