Sports
Countdown Begins For FIFA Club W/Cup
The FIFA Club World Cup will be held on African soil for the first time in December 2013 when Morocco hosts the august tournament in Aghadir Marrakech. With just over two months to go before the tenth edition of FIFA Club World Cup kicks off in the city of Agadir with an opening match between Raja Casablanca and Auckland on 11 December, the countdown is well underway. The Local Organising Committee (LOC) unveiled the official Emblem earlier in the month.
So far, five clubs have qualified for tournament and these are Bayern Munich, the reigning UEFA Champions League winners, Oceania champions, Auckland City FC, CONCACAF Champions League winners CF Monterrey while South America champions, Atletico Mineiro and the first of the two African clubs Raja Casablanca who will be representing Morocco, the host nation. The CAF Champions League winners will be known by the second week in November and will join Raja Casablanca as the two African sides in the competition.
The launch of the official Emblem took place during a glittering ceremony held recently in Casablanca. The unveiling coincided with the 100 days before the tournament kick-off.
According to Tidesports source, the official Emblem was revealed to guests at the end of a colourful show in which famous models wearing fabulous traditional kaftans inspired by the colours of the seven qualified teams paraded across the stage, accompanied by children who were also dressed in the participating teams’ colours and wearing each of the teams’ pennants.
The emblem for this tenth edition of the competition has the characteristic shape of the FIFA Club World Cup trophy, decorated with patterns influenced by the ancient Moroccan art of zellige (ceramic mosaics), thereby combining the spirit of the competition with the visual imagery of the host country. This Official Emblem evokes Morocco that is open, welcoming and multicultural.
The delicacy of the patterns, which are dominated by the colours of the national flag, reflects the high quality of play to be expected in this magical competition, which will see the best clubs from each of the six confederations, plus Raja Casablanca, battle it out on Moroccan turf.
The unveiling of the official Emblem marked the one hundred days before kick-off and the gorgeous ceremony and celebratory mood showed that the countdown is truly underway.
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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