Sports
… Shatters Lagos Dream In Female Handball
Team Rivers last Thursday shattered the dream of Team Lagos to win the female handball gold medal after defeating them 29-25 in the final match at the ongoing 18th National Sports Festival in Lagos.
The third place match of the category was won by Team Ondo which defeated Team Plateau 20-15 to win the bronze medal.
Rivers had earlier defeated Plateau 25-21, while Lagos defeated Ondo 33-20 in the semi-finals, to qualify for the final of the event at the Handball Courts of the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
Meanwhile, Team Lagos and Team Borno have qualified for the finals of the male category of the event, while Team Sokoto will tackle Team Ondo in the third place match.
Vice Chairman, Rivers State Handball Association, George Somiari, told Tidesports that their victory in the female category was a consolation for the state’s disqualificaton in the male category, on technical grounds.
The Rivers male team was disqualified for fielding an unregistered player in their quarter-final match against Team Sokoto which they won 35-27 and the match was awarded to Sokoto.
“I am overjoyous; this victory is a consolation for us after we were disqualified on technical ground in the male category by the organisers.
“The disqualification did not, however, discourage or demoralise our female team. In fact, it further toughened their spirit to fight to the finish.
“If not for the disqualification, we would have successfully defended the two categories.“ he said.
Somiari attributed good to the co-ordination and their players’ discipline to their desire to win the female gold medal.
Olusanjo Ogundoro, Team Rivers Coach, said that the athletes were motivated with good pay by the state government.
“Our athletes are motivated to win over and over again in the festival generally because they receive attractive welfare packages from the state government,“ he said.
Shittu Agboola, Lagos State Handball Coach said they lost due to a ‘costly mistake conceded by their goalkeeper during the match and luck, which he said was not on their side.
“We tried our best, but luck was not on our side and our keeper was not experience enough. We will work hard to get a goalkeeper trainer before Calabar 2014,“ he added.
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.
-
News24 hours agoPolice Arrest Nigerian, Two Others For Kidnapping In Edo
-
Business14 hours agoNigeria, AFC sign $1.3 billion deal to build alumina refinery
-
Rivers14 hours agoKENPOLY Rector Promises To Prioritise Students’ Welfare
-
Nation1 day agoPerm Sec Explains Success Of FGM Elimination Programme In Rivers
-
News24 hours agoNDLEA Arrests Ex-Councillor With 40kg Skunk, Recovers Drugs In Diapers
-
Rivers14 hours agoADIAFRICA Flags-off Free Eye Screening Outreach In PH
-
Rivers14 hours agoLGSC Boss Commits To Better Service Delivery
-
Business14 hours agoNCDMB Signs Mgt Deal With Radisson, Edison…As Board’s 204 Rooms Hotel Open December 2026