Sports
Flamingoes Target U-17 World Cup
A striker with the na
tional Under-17 women team, Chinwe Ihezuo, has assured Nigerians that the team would win all their matches at the forthcoming FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Ihezuo gave the assurance in a statement issued by the team’s Media Officer, Jennifer Okoye, from Faro in Portugal, where the team are currently camping in preparation for the mundial.
Nigerian team are on a 19-day training tour in Portugal as part of their final phase of preparations.
The competition is scheduled to hold from March 15 to April 4 in Costa Rica, with Nigeria drawn in Group D alongside Mexico, Colombia and China for the first round.
The statement said Ihezuo was confident the team, also known as the Flamingoes, will not only participate but make a big impact in the three-week tournament.
“The team will win in spite of our 0-0 draw against the Belgian under-17 side in a friendly match at the Alles Des Sports Stadium in Brussels, Belgium.
“We played against a good side, but we were unlucky. We did very well, even though we were too anxious to score and therefore missed many chances.
“The weather was not too friendly as it was very cold and did affect our performance.
“But we are assuring Nigerians that we will not only participate, but do our possible best to win all our matches and make them proud in Costa Rica,’’ Ihezuo said.
Flamingoes failed during the match to get a goal, and it was the first time after playing nine friendly matches to prepare them for the World Cup.
In Costa Rica, the Nigerian side will face China on March 16, before facing Colombia on March 19, with both matches taking place in Alajuela.
They will thereafter proceed to San Jose to take on Mexico on March 23 in their last Group D match.
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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