Sports
‘NPL To Conduct Championship Election Soon’
The Nigeria Premier League (NPL) Board has said that its electoral committee would soon conduct fresh elections as directed by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
A Federal High Court had on August 2, ordered the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) to conduct fresh elections into two NPL board positions.
The positions are those of the chairman and the chairman of Club Chairmen, whose elections are to hold within 30 days and not later than 45 days of the judgment
Justice Gabriel Kolawole had given the order in a suit filed by Mr Davidson Owumi, erstwhile chairman of the board.
Owumi had prayed the court to order the NFA to declare him winner of the May 8, 2010 NPL elections, after the association had ordered his removal in December 2010 during its congress in Uyo.
He had also sought the court’s order to declare that the arbitration panel chaired by Prof. Akin Ibidapo-Obe was not legally constituted and therefore lacked powers to remove him from office.
Consequently, the NFA last week directed the NPL to act in line with the court’s order.
The Chairman of NPL’s Media and Publicity Committee, Mr Akin Akinbobola, said the board decided to act in line with both the court’s order and NFA’s directive.
Akinbobola, who briefed newsmen at the end of the board meeting on Wednesday in Abuja, said the league body had directed its secretariat to send NFA’s letter to the Electoral Committee.
“We decided to forward the NFA letter to the Electoral Committee asking for the elections to be held as ruled by the Federal High Court, for action, and we expect the committee to swing into action very soon,’’ he said.
The NPL board spokesman said both the Electoral Committee headed by Mr Tony Rafua and the Appeals Committee headed by Barr. Isaac Danladi,would stand as earlier constituted by the NPL board in 2010.
It will be recalled that the members of the electoral committee were, Rafua, My Tony Ogola, Alhaji Muazu Suleiman, Prince Oladimeji Thompson, Malam Awalu Baba-Jada, Mr Felix Anyansi-Agwu and Mr Alhassan Yakmut.
Both Suleiman and Anyansi-Agwu are now NFA board members.
Yakmut, who was its Secretary, and then the NPL Executive Secretary on secondment from the National Sports Commission (NSC), has returned to the commission.
The Appeals Committee has Danladi, Suleiman David and Uzor Paul as members.
Akinbobola, who is also NPL board member, said the league body had no reason to tamper with the constitution of both the electoral and appeals committees.
“The committees are returning to their duties as they are like standing committees, and we have no reason to effect any change,’’ he 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.
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