Sports
18th NSF: Anambra To Participate In Swimming, Gymnastics
The Anambra Director of Sports (Operations), Mr Chidiogo Mbanefo, says swimming and gymnastics have been added to the list of events the state will participate in at the 18th National Sports Festival.
He told newsmen in Onitsha that the inclusion of the two events increased the number of events in which the state would participate in from 15 to 17.
Mbanefo said that the state’s athletes had been attending national and zonal meets with state sponsorship or through their professional bodies in preparation for the sports festival to be hosted by Lagos State from November 27 to December 9.
He said: “Our main preparation will start in earnest in June or July; we will have the first stage of camping then the second stage before the competition. That is how we intend to do it.
“The last time, we participated in 15 events, but now we are adding two more – that is swimming and gymnastics.
“We are participating in all the combat sports; then weightlifting and football. “
The director said the state government had provided funds for the state contingent’s preparations, adding: “We have been directed to surpass our previous records and the ministry is working on the governor’s directive. “
Apart from swimming and gymnastics, the state will take part in football, chess, karate, kung fu and weightlifting, traditional wrestling, wrestling, kickboxing, tennis, volleyball, and Ayo.
The other events are athletics, taekwondo, boxing and judo.
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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