Sports
NFA Chooses March For B-Licence Coaching Course
The coaching course for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) B-Licence will now hold in Abuja from March 11 to March 25, a Nigeria Football Association (NFA) official said over the weekend.
NFA’s Director of Technical, Emmanuel Ikpeme, who confirmed the dates, told newsmen that all arrangements were now ongoing to make the programme a success.
The association had on February 16, said it was awaiting the go-ahead from CAF for the course to hold.
Ikpeme had told newsmen then that the course would start immediately CAF gave the approval, attributing CAF’s late response to the African Cup of Nations finals that was ongoing then.
“The programme would have taken place since last year as we had planned, but due to one or two logistics problems, this was not possible.
“But now, we have picked March 11 to March 25 as the dates and we have communicated this to CAF, which will in turn make arrangements to be part of the programme,’’ he said.
The sale of forms to intending participants has resumed. NFA abruptly stopped the exercise last year.
The B-Licence course is an advanced coaching course introduced by CAF last year, and it is one of the three courses being organised by the confederation.
CAF has said that coaches must hold one of the certificates before they can sit on the bench of any team or club in any of its organised competitions.
The C-Licence course, which is a prelude, was held in October 2011 in Abuja with 80 coaches drawn from across the country taking part.
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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