Sports
HOS Football Competition Kicks Off, April 30
The kick-off of the 2012
Head of Service Football Competition for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in Rivers State that was slated to start today has been postponed.
A statement signed by the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee of the 2012 Civil Service Week, Dr George Nwolu who is also the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Works states that the postponement was necessitated by the need to get all the teams ready for the competition.
According to the statement the new date for kick-off will be Monday April 30, 2012 at the Sharks Football Stadium, Port Harcourt, adding that while the dates would change in the fixtures the pairing of the teams remain the same.
The statement further directs the Sports Sub-Committee to ensure that all intending players were medically screened and new dates given to the teams to start preparations early enough for the competition.
MDAs that have registered for the competition were also advised to properly train and admonish their teams on the need for fair-play and safety during the marches, adding that teams that fail to satisfy the rules of the game would be sanctioned.
The Head Of Service Football Competition is part of activities in the annual Civil Service Week Celebrations in Rivers State. This year’s celebration is expected to formally begin on July 1, 2012.
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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