Sports
NCF To Use BMX To Develop Cycling
The Nigeria Cycling Federation (NCF), has said that it has concluded plans to use the new cycling event called Bicycle Motocross (BMX) to develop the game from the grassroots.
The BMX made its debut as an Olympics event at the Beijing 2008 Olympics.
NCF Technical Director, Mohammed Bashir, told newsmen that BMX was not expensive to initiate in the country, thus, a good means to hunt for talents at the grassroots.
“I went for a course in the month of July in Egypt and realised there was a new sports called BMX in cycling, which was not expensive to develop.
“So, we intend to develop it from the grassroots in order to catch them young, because it only needs a football field to draw a BMX track” he said.
The director said that the sport was meant for the youths and that NCF intended to use it to develop track races in the country, as obtained in other countries.
“It is for the youth, and from there we’ll move the discovered cyclists to the track,” Bashir said.
He added that the federation would organise a seminar on track races for cyclists and coaches in the country after the forthcoming 18th National Sports Festival (NSF) in Lagos in December.
“In 2011, the National Sports Commission (NSC) bought some track cycles, and coaches of the federation were trained by an expert from International Cycling Union (UCI) on track racing.
“After the sports festival, we will organise another seminar on track racing in Abuja, because all races in BMX are based on tracks,” he said.
Bashir said he was confident that the BMX event, when fully introduced and developed in Nigeria, would be embraced by all.
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.