Sports
Flamingoes In Impressive Mood Ahead U-17 W/Cup
Kickboxers struggling for honours during a national event in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, recently.
The Flamingoes continued their impressive build-up towards the FIFA Under-17 women World Cup in Costa Rica with a 3-1 spanking of Portuguese club U-14 boys on Monday.
The Nigeria U17 women who landed in Faro, Portugal on Saturday faced their first tune-up encounter in a 19-day training tour against CDR Quarteirense of Portugal at the Browns Sports football pitch, Faro, Portugal.
The Flamingoes who were still in a buoyant mood following their run of victories in the previous tune-up games, scored twice in the first half and launched the third in the second half, to clip the wings of the Portuguese club’s age-grade boys in Faro.
Goals from Rasidat Ajibade, Cynthia Aku and Agams Nkechinyere established the confident of the Bala Nkiyu led side ahead of the less than a-month oncoming World youth women football championship.
Rasidat Ajibade opening the scoring for the Nigerian ladies in the 18th minute before Cynthia Aku stepped up in the 29th minute to make the inexperience boys pay for their defensive blunders by firing home the second.
In the second half, the Portuguese boys who returned into the half more motivated secured a breakthrough in the 66th minute.
However, the home boys’ expectation of getting something off the game failed to materialize as substituted Agams Nkechinyere’s 78th minute stunner, completed the rout for the Flamingoes to prove superiority at the regulation time.
Speaking after the game, Head Coach of the Nigerian side, Bala Nkiyu expressed delight at the improved play and stressed the readiness of the team for the World Cup in good time.
“We had a great game today (Monday), the ladies are putting in their best and they have really improved with every game. I’m happy with what I’m seeing and am sure we are close to getting the strong team.
we need to make Nigerians proud in Costa Rica,” Nkiyu said.
In a related development, the Nigeria U17 women will slug it out with their Spanish counterpart by 5pm Nigerian time at the Browns Sports football pitch, Faro, Portugal on Wednesday.
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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