Sports
Ede Poly, Others For NIPOGA Football Semi-Finals
The Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State and Nasarawa Polytechnic, Kaura-Namoda, have qualified for the semi-finals of the male football competition at the ongoing Nigerian Polytechnic Games (NIPOGA) at Ede.
Also, the Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu, and Federal Polytechnic, Offa, are through to the semi-finals.
Each of the four teams has seven points, having won two matches and drawn one out of their three preliminary matches.
In one of the last group games earlier in the week, the host football team defeated Nuhu Bamali Polytechnic, Zaria, 2-0 to be in the semi-finals.
Victor Owobiko scored the first goal of the match in the 5th minute of play, while the second was netted in the 84th minute by Sayo Ogundeji.
Lagos State Polytechnic football team has defeated Kaduna Polytechnic team 3-1 on Monday in their third match.
The coach of the host team, Olaleye Olawole, said his team expected nothing less than winning the final.
He urged the players not to be carried away by their performance but “to keep the tempo until they claim the gold medal of the event“.
The two semi-finals matches of the male football event will be played today.
In the women’s handball, Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, defeated Kogi Polytechnic, Ayangba, by 33 points to 9 points, while Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, defeated the host team by 27 points to 17 points.
Also in the women’s volleyball event, Kaduna Polytechnic defeated Kogi State Polytechnic 3-0.
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.