Sports
Philanthropist Advocates Grassroots Sports Dev In PH
A philanthropist in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Mr Martins Odum has called on well-meaning individuals and multi-national companies operating in the state to show more commitment to developing sports at the grassroots.
The call was made by Odum in an interview with Tidesports at the ongoing mega soccer tournament at the Number Six Field, Port Harcourt Township, recently.
According to him, the organiser of the competition has a great vision for the youth of Rivers State, especially, in Port Harcourt township.
“First, I have to thank the orgniser of this competition, Comrade a.k.a. Kala, a man from Okrika who came to Port Harcourt to make the youths happy, for that we appreciate him. By the grace of God he is doing well for now.
“We all know that he is not doing it for any monetary gains, rather, he is doing it for the purpose of keeping the mind and soul working perfectly. May be after him another person may take over,” Martins stated.
This is what we expected from multi-nationals operating in the state, so that the youths can have the platform and opportunities, and desist from acts that are inimical to the society,” Odum enthused.
On the prizes that will go to the winners, he believes that the end of the competition would witness a lost of prizes for the winners ranging from N30,000 to N100,000.
However, he was quick to say that money was not the ultimate but rather the record created by the organiser would leave an indelible mark in the minds of the people.
“But in such a competition money is not the ultimate, we are looking at the joy, peace and the friendliness the result of the competition will bring and how much the competitors will go home with,” Martins said.
Gold Monday
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.