Sports
Niger Flickers, Union Bank Qualify For Semi Finals
Niger Flickers of Minna and Union Bank of Lagos yesterday in
Abuja qualified for the men’s semi-finals of the 2012 IEI National Premier
Hockey League Finals.
Both teams qualified from Group B at the end of their four
preliminary round matches each.
In matches played at the Astro-Turf Hockey pitch of the
Abuja National Stadium, the Niger Flickers defeated the Ondo Flickers 3-0 to
top the group.
They finished with 10 points from three wins and a draw in
four matches, after scoring nine goals and conceding one.
The Minna team will now meet the Kano State team in today’s
semi-finals.
The Union Bank team, on its part, drew goalless with Police
Machine to end up with six points from one win and three draws in four matches.
They finished second in the group and will face the Group A
winners— the Yobe Desert Warriors of Damaturu— in the other semi-final pairing.
Yobe Desert Warriors and Kano State had already qualified
earlier in the week from Group A at the conclusion of their preliminary round
matches.
The Damaturu side topped the group with seven points from
two wins and one draw in three matches, while Kano State were second with three
points from three draws.
The Ondo Flickers will now meet Bayelsa Kings in today’s
classification match for the 5th and 6th positions.
Kaduna Flickers will also face Police Machine for the 7th
and 8th positions today
The final and third-place matches in both the men and women
categories have been scheduled for tomorrow.
Seventeen teams, made up of nine men and eight women sides
are taking part in the competition.
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.