Sports
Marketing Outfit Plans Big For Boxing
An Ibadan-based sports marketing outfit, TKO, says it has concluded arrangements with some notable and successful boxers in England to assist the sport grow in Nigeria.
Mr Tokunbo Ladipo, owner of TKO, said in Ibadan on Wednesday that the arrangements were part of his plans to resuscitate boxing in Oyo State.
Ladipo told newsmen that boxing was money spinning and a more lucrative sport than football if it was properly managed.
According to him, the notable boxers from England will come with training facilities which will be donated to the Sports Council and some boxing clubs in the state.
He said that some ex-international boxing champions based in Europe and America had conducted a survey and realised that Nigeria had the largest number of talents in the game.
Ladipo added that the ex-internationals also in their findings discovered that lack of facilities and technical encouragement remained the bane of the development of the game in the country.
“We have arranged with the likes of Sunday Lawanson a Nigerian-born UK-based boxer, popularly known as Zulu, Chris Eubanks and Nigel Benn.
“We have also contacted a boxing promoter Barry Hearns who owns Leyton Orient FC and Top Ranking Boxing Clubs in England.
“These boxers will bring boxing equipment that will be highly useful for training of our boxers in Oyo State.
“These people are ready and willing to assist the growth of the sport, especially in Africa where they know talents abound.
“And you know, I as an indigene of Ibadan who knows how boxing was thriving in the ancient city before, will want Oyo state to be the first beneficiary of this scheme,’’ Ladipo said.
He said TKO would collaborate with other interested stakeholders to be organising monthly bouts to discover new talents and engage the state boxers in regular competitions.
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.