Sports
LG Boss Urges Chime To Redeem Stadium Pledge
The Chairman of Nsukka Local Government Council, Mr Tony Ugwu, has told Gov. Sullivan Chime of Enugu State to redeem his pledge to Nsukka people to build a stadium for them to boost sporting activities in the area.
Ugwu made the call at Nsukka at the closing ceremony of a football tournament, “Mayor’s Cup 2011 Football Tournament’’, competed for by youth teams in Nsukka Local Government Area.
The chairman, who is the sponsor of the tournament, said the siting of a stadium in Nsukka would help in fishing out hidden talents in sport as well as empower youths in the area.
“Nsukka has hidden sports talents who can perform like Nwankwo Kanu and Austin J. J. Okocha but have yet to be discovered.
“With a stadium in Nsukka, the level of crime will reduce as youths will invest most of their time in sporting actives.
“There will be improvements in the economy as more laurels will be won for the country in sports,” he said.
The council chairman said the tournament would be an annual event, noting that improvements would be made in future tournaments.
“By God’s special grace, this football event will be organised annually by Nsukka LG as a way of empowering youths to take to sports,” he said.
He thanked the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the tournament for their wonderful planning and performance, which he said made the football event a success.
In a remark, Chime said that the state’s huge investment in sports was to empower youths as well as identify hidden talents.
Chime who was represented Barth Ezeugwu, Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Youth Empowerment and Mobilisation said the state’s youth empowerment was not only through sports, but also in agriculture and education.
“The state is happy with Nsukka LG for keying into the programme,” 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.