Sports
‘D’ Tigers Deserve Praises, Not Condemnation’
A Basketball Instructor, Mr Stephen Okafor has urged sports enthusiasts in the country to commend the efforts of the national male Basketball team, D’Tigers, at the London Olympics, instead of condemning them.
Okafor told newsmen, yesterday, in Abakaliki that the team’s performance at the London Olympic Games was an exhibition of patriotism and dedication to duty.
Our correspondent reports that D’Tigers lost 73-79 to France on Monday, a result that put an end to their campaign in the basketball event of the ongoing Games.
“Qualifying for the Olympics for the very first time was a big achievement for the team, as it put the nation among the comity of top basketball nations.
“The players braved the fatigue of traversing the globe in search of a qualification ticket, to compete against more established teams.
“Though they could only win one game against Tunisia, they became the highest scoring African side at the Olympics which places them as the best in the continent,” the basketball instructor said.
According to him, the team had to cope with some unforeseen circumstances that blighted the overall performance of the team at the London Games.
“Most of the players played with nagging injuries, while they also faced the problem of inexperience, being their first time at such a big stage.
“The team reminded us of one of the Super Eagles teams of the ’90s which made tenacity and total commitment its watchword,” Okafor said.
He called on the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) to build on the team’s performance at the Games, for a better performance in future competitions.
“The NBBF should avoid the mistake of disbanding the team because of its poor performance and build on the experience the players have been able to acquire from the event.
“The players should be kept together and blended with some new promising players to form a more formidable team.
“Adequate incentives should be given to them for motivation, as is the case with football teams that have performed creditably in international competitions,” he said.
Okafor, however, noted that the dismal outing of Team Nigeria at the Games was a sad reflection of the current state of the country’s sports sector.
“Maladministration has continued to be the bane of the country’s sports and it is only when this recurrent issue is frontally addressed that we may see some semblance of improvement,’’ Okafor 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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