Sports
Home-Based Players In Super Eagles Buoy NPL
The Nigeria Premier League (NPL) has said that the inclusion of more home-based players in the Super Eagles meant that the domestic league’s standard has improved.
The NPL’s Acting Executive Secretary, Tunji Babalola, told newsmen in Lagos that the regulatory body intended to improve on its operations to ensure stability.
He said that the successful completion of the first stanza of the league would enable the regulatory body carry out an appraisal and put in place measures that would further improve the NPL.
“So far so good; the league has been going on fine, it could be better.
“We will ensure that our mistakes earlier this season, would not be allowed to happen again and we will fine-tune our strategies to keep improving.
“If you look at the makeup of the Super Eagles today, the bulk of the players are from the domestic league, which I see as a plus for the NPL’’, Babalola said.
In the area of officiating in the league, Babalola said that the referees had given a good account of themselves, adding that the away victories secured by visiting teams spoke volumes about the improvement.
“In this season, we have had more away victories, compared to the past. This means fairness by match officials,’’ he said.
Babalola urged fans to continue to attend league matches and not to relent in their support, stressing that they would get good value for their money in the next stanza of the league.
“I want to assure fans of the intention of the NPL to serve them with exciting and entertaining football in the second stanza, because of the keen competition by clubs vying for the title,’’ he said.
The NPL is currently on a one week break, to enable teams to rest and prepare for the second stanza which kicks off at the various centres tomorrow.
The break is also serving as a transfer window to enable teams to carry out mid-season transfer of players to fortify their squads before the commencement of the second stanza.
The 2011/2012 season of the NPL will end in August.
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.