Sports
Athlete Wants Competitions Ahead Of Commonwealth Games
A long distance athlete,
Kefas Williams, has urged the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) to organise competitions to prepare the country’s representatives to the forthcoming Commonwealth Games.
The 2014 Commonwealth Games are scheduled to hold from July 23 to August 3 in Glasgow, Scotland.
Williams told newsmen in Lagos that the federation also needed to encourage long distance athletes and organise events to develop the sport.
Williams won the gold in the 5,000m event at the 67th All Nigeria/Cross River Open Athletics Championships held in Calabar in June 2013.
“The AFN has been doing well for athletes but I believe that they can go a step further by organising more long distance meets.
“We have what it takes to succeed at the Commonwealth Games because the potential is there. We have talents in all parts of the country.
“Organising more competitions will expose a good number of us and help our progress. I can assure you that many teenagers are interested in long distance events,” he said. Williams urged the federation to implement a grassroots development programme that would seek to develop youngsters for national and international competitions.
“A grassroots development programme for long distance races will be a wonderful initiative. We need to go back to the grassroots and create a good plan to discover talents.
“So many youths are interested in long distance races. We need to start looking into other areas where we can make the country proud at the Commonwealth Games,” the athlete 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.