Sports
NSC To Include Beach Volleball In NSF
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has said that beach volleyball would be included in the events for the 19th National Sport Festival (NSF) in Calabar, Cross Rivers in 2014.
NSC’s Assistant Director of Elite Athlets Development, Igbinosa Emmanuel, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen in Abuja.
Igbinosa said the decision was due to the success of the sport since its inception in the country.
“We discovered that it is an area that Nigeria can do well as we are doing in beach football.
“And I am assuring you that it will be recognized as a scoring event at the next sports festival because it was at the last Games, tagged “Eko 2012” in Lagos.
“But what happened then was that there was a mix up in the zonal eliminations and they came in a little bit late.
“The sport has been doing well locally, nationally and internationally and this will be an encouragement for them to do more,” he said.
Igbinosa noted the sport was also at the last 10th All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique and both the male and female teams came fifth and eight, respectively.
“So, they should be given the necessary support because we want them to do better than they have done,” he said.
Igbinosa quoted the Director –General of NSC, Patrick Ekeji as saying that the commission was committed to promoting the sport both at the grassroots and the national level.
“Due to the success the sport has recorded over time, we are committed to promoting it because of its potential.
“We will be doing this for two purposes because beach volleyball is both a recreational and competitive sport.
“So, we are pledging our support to the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) for the growth of the sport,” he said.
The second edition of the Samsung Electronics Male and Female Beach Volleyball Championships held from March 29 to 31 in Abuja.
The three-day championships started off with 12 of the 20 teams expected at the competition with Ondo State and Delta teams winning the male and female categories, respectively.
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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