Sports
Royal Father Tasks OPS On Sports Dev
A traditional ruler in Rivers State, Eze Sylvanus Ogbueri has challenged the Organised Private Sector (OPS) to invest in the development of sports in the state.
The royal father who made the call in an interview with The Tide sports at his Umueze Palace in Omuma local government area at the weekend said if fully developed, sports would compete favourably with oil and gas in terms of economic advantage.
Eze Ogburi who is also a sports philanthropist noted that development of local sports like Water Polo, Swimming and abundant beaches scattered all over the state would help in talent discovery.
He lauded the state government for what he described as harvest of gold at the 17th National Sports Festival hosted by Rivers State. He attributed the feat to the commitment of the state governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi towards the development of sports in the state.
He urged investors to take advantage of the great potentials of sports in the state to develop that sector of the economy.
“It is high time we emulate the western world where billions of Dollars flow in from sports. We should begin to take advantage especially with the keen interest shown by the state government, he emphasised.
Eze Ogbueri decried the lackadaisical attitude of some local government administrations in the state on sports development, stressing that time has come for the third tier of government to look inward on how to develop local talents in sports.
According to him, by doing the youths would be properly engaged thereby reducing youths restiveness in the state.
“How many local government councils in the state have a mini-stadium where local tournaments are played? How many LGAs have well-equipped sports facilities to encourage youths participation in sports”, he queried.
Eze Ogbueri maintained that until governments and private investors see sports as an issue for partnership, the abundant sports talent in the state would not be developed.
Isaac Nwankwo
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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