Sports
I Will Add More Value To Super Falcons – Ikhana
The Head Coach of the senior national women football team, has pledged to add more value to the team Kadiri Ikhana .
Ikhana was appointed on March 28, 2012 by the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) to head the team’s coaching crew.
Speaking at his official unveiling ceremony recently, Ikhana said he would do his best to ensure that the team also known as the Super Falcons becomes better than what it used to be.
“I don’t have much to say now because I don’t want to talk much. However, I want my results to speak for me.
“I can for now only promise to add more value to the Super Falcons by God’s Grace,’’ he said.
The former coach of Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin further said he was confident he would meet the terms stated in his appointment’s contract papers.
The coach had been mandated to lead the team to qualification for the 2012 African Women Championship (AWC) and subsequently the FIFA Women’s World Cup of 2015
“I can assure that I can build a team that will qualify for the AWC later in the year and then the Women’s World Cup in 2015 as demanded by the contract,’’ Ikhana said.
Earlier in his speech at the unveiling ceremony, the NFA chairman, Aminu Maigari, had reiterated the association’s support for women football.
He said the unveiling ceremony itself was a practical demonstration of that as it was the first of its kind for a women’s team coach.
“NFA is not paying lip service to women’s football because this is the first unveiling for the women’s national team coach.
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.