Sports
Coach Optimistic Over London 2012 Beach V/Ball Ticket
The Head Coach of the national beach
volleyball team , Ismail Charkuma, has declared that the country will clinch a
ticket at the Beach Volleyball World Cup Olympics Qualification Tournament.
Charkuma told newsmen in Lagos
earlier in the week that his confidence was based on the quality of players the
team had.
The Federation of International Volleyball
(FIVB) sanctioned competition is scheduled to hold from June 27 to July 1 in
Tortoli, Italy.
“We will not disappoint the country, we will go there to show to the
world that Nigerian athletes are good in the sport,’’ he said.
He saod that his players would bring their
experience from previous competitions to bear on the Olympic qualifiers, and
added that the players would not disappoint the country.
“The players did well at the continental
competition but we still have one more competition to qualify us for the Olympics.
The country’s beach volleyball team came
third at the continental event, which held from April 11 to April 15 in
Mauritius.
Nigeria defeated Congo Brazzaville to book
a ticket for the final round of the Olympic qualifiers in Italy.
Charkuma added that the country’s flag at
the qualifiers would be flown by Goodluck Anyasodike, Osas Omoreghe, Isaac
Igigba and AbdulAzeez Adamu.
Meanwhile Anyasodike, one of the
Tortoli-bound players, said that he was very confident on their chances of
clinching a ticket at the qualifiers for the country.
“I know that we will not lose this chance
given to us to ensure that we qualify for the Olympics, and my team mates and I
have been training hard.
“We will build on the momentum we generated
from the CAVB Beach volleyball Continental tournament where we emerged in the
third position.
“That competition has helped to sharpen our
competitive edge for more challenges ahead.
“We will also pray for luck because
training and luck works together,’’ he said.
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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