Sports
Inadequate Funds Threaten 2013 College Of Education Games
The President of the Nigeria Colleges of Education Games Association (NICEGA), Mohammed Sanusi, has said that lack of funds could affect the standard of the 2013 sports fiesta.
Sanusi told newsmen in Abuja that the Federal Government had stopped allocating funds for the games.
“As I am talking to you, there is no single fund that has been released to us or we have gotten from any source.
“We used to get funding from the federal government but now this year, and last year, nothing was released.
“We are going to try our very best to host this Games come what (may), but I believe the standard that will be expected for the Games is not likely to be there when the funds are not available.“
He said that there was no hope of getting funds from the government because the funds were not appropriated.
“I do not even think that it (money) is coming because it has not been appropriated for.
“It has been removed from last year’s appropriation and even this year’s appropriation, it is not there at all, and that is the snag we have.”
Sanusi decried the lips service paid to sports development in the country especially poor funding of grassroots sports.
“It is very important that these funds are made available for NICEGA and (other) tertiary institution games, because if we are talking of sports development, we are talking of going back to (the) grassroots.
“And we are neglecting collegiate sports, then, it is just paying a lip service to sports development in Nigeria.“
He, however, noted that other preparations were on course for the sports fiesta, billed to hold in Minna, Niger State, just as the zonal preliminaries would soon be completed.
“Most of the zones are through with their zonal preliminaries with the exception of one or two of them.
“Immediately after the zonal preliminaries, we will compile the results and we will call for a congress to determine the date the games are expected to come up at the College of Education, Minna.“
The 2012 edition of the Games held at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Omoku, Rivers State where FCE Kano won with 10 gold and four bronze medals.
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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