Sports
Nigeria’s Paralympians Salvage Image In London
Nigeria came back from the Olympics without a single medal, but their Paralympians have picked up a clutch of medals, including several golds.
Why are they succeeding where the Olympians failed?
“It is amusing that even war-torn Afghanistan went away with a bronze medal in taekwondo, a sport in which we had a strong medal hope,” wrote Taiwo Gidado in Nigeria’s Vanguard newspaper.
“In basketball and the sprints, our athletes were expected to, at least, win a bronze. All hopes were dashed in the few sports in which we competed.”
President Goodluck Jonathan called for a complete overhaul of Nigerian sports administration after the Games, saying the country needed to regain its “past glory”. It was Nigeria’s worst display in the Olympics for 20 years.
Things have been different, however, when it comes to Nigeria’s Paralympics team. As of Wednesday, the country’s Paralympics team had already won 12 medals, including six golds.
Why is their disabled team getting the golds when their Olympian counterparts could not get on to the podium?
Nigeria’s London success comes off the back of a sizeable medal haul at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing. There, the team won nine medals, including four golds, with six of their medals coming in the powerlifting events.
“Team Nigeria was successful in London 2012 because early preparations by the sports commission and government supported them financially with a training tour of more than two months in South Korea,” a journalist Aliyu Tanko says.
“Based on the fact that most medals won by Nigeria in Beijing were in powerlifting, the country’s sports body focused mainly on developing talents in that aspect, and the four silver medals won in powerlifting were converted into gold medals in London.
“So far, the medals won are in the sports they mastered for years, even though many expected the disabled athletes to perform well in wheelchair table tennis.”
The Paralympics has “generated a lot of comments and debates in social networks”, Mr Tanko says.
“Many are praising the performance of the disabled and criticising the athletes who could not win any medals during the Olympics.”
It is hard for any sport to draw attention away from football, which is the most popular game in Nigeria. But success may attract extra funding.
The BBC’s Matthew Kenyon watched powerlifting at the ExCel Arena on Wednesday and said the Paralympic team were “very aware and proud of the fact that they’ve brought a lot of success to the country.
“They’re slightly reluctant to get into the whole Olympic/Paralympic comparison but are certainly very aware of it.”
He spoke to the country’s weightlifting coach Patience Igbiti, who was a medal winner at Beijing. She said: “We are focused and determined.
By Stephen Dowling
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.