Sports
Coach Tasks Administrators On Officials’ Welfare
Head Coach, Ondo State Table-
Tennis Association (OSTTA), Dotun Omoniyi, has called on sports administrators to take the welfare of technical officials seriously, so as to be able to enhance national sports development.
Omoniyi told newsmen in Lagos that good welfare packages for coaches and referees would definitely improve the productivity of technical officials in all sports.
The coach also appealed to all federations to ensure the constant release of technical officials’ entitlements, in order to help them perform optimally at all times.
“The well-being of technical officials in the country, who are the major characters in sports, goes a long way to determine their productivity and this must be taken very seriously,” he said.
According to Omoniyi, many technical officials are distracted in the course of their primary work due to the financial challenges they have to meet.
“Officials of all sports must be adequately taken care of, to enable them attend to their personal responsibilities. This will further fortify their commitment to the job,’’ he said.
He urged the National Sports Commission (NSC) to provide funds for technical officials to attend international refresher courses to keep them abreast of developments.
“Irregular attendance at such programmes is limiting the technical proficiency of officials and reducing the opportunity of building cordial relationships with their contemporaries.
“The federations and the NSC should assist the technical officials to upgrade their training abilities through attendance at regular national and international seminars, where current developments are comprehensively addressed.
“National seminars are not enough, the international ones have standard touches because the programmes are handled by experts with modern facilities for practicals and they will also interact with others,” he said.
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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