Sports
2014 NSF: Athletes Seek Deaf Sport Inclusion
Some deaf athletes in Lagos have
appealed to the National Sports Commission (NSC) to rescind its decision not to include deaf sports in the 2014 National Sports Festival (NSF).
The 19th edition of the biennial festival, tagged: “Paradise Games” is to hold from November 27 to December 7 in Calabar, Cross River.
An Olympian, Nurudeen Badmus, said that it was heart-breaking that deaf athletes had been excluded from the Paradise Games, after putting much effort, preparing.
Badmus noted that he won three Gold, one Silver and two Bronze medals for Rivers at Eko 2012 and had been working toward performing better to clinch more medals in 2014.
“I was at the London 2012 Olympics for 100m but unfortunately, I lost out in the semi finals.
“I’m hoping that the festival would be an avenue for me to evaluate myself.
“Excluding us from the festival makes us feel unwanted and not appreciated for what we’re doing and that is not encouraging.
“I’m a family man and it’s the reward I get at participating in competitions I use to cater for my family,’’ he said.
Another deaf athlete, Uchenna Eze, said that the NSC’s decision could scare away talented aspiring deaf athletes.
Eze said that deaf athletes should be allowed to enjoy the same treatment as their able-bodied counterparts.
“They should stop giving preference to our able-bodied counterparts because it does not make us feel good.
“We practically do the same thing like they do and should enjoy the same benefits at international competitions.
“We mostly perform better than they do,’’ he added.
Deaf athletes featured at the 18th NSF, tagged: “Eko 2012” in Lagos.
A team Lagos gold medalist, Nofisat Alaba, who was at the 2012 festival, said that the NSC should consider deaf athletes challenges and make them relevant.
Alaba said that the festival was the only national competition that deaf athletes often had opportunity to compete in.
“If we do not participate I don’t know when we would have another opportunity as deaf athletes to participate at any national competition.
“We need to put in practice what we have been learning after the last NSF in 2012 because it is when we compete that we can get better,’’ Alaba 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.