Sports
Rivers Cricket Targets Victory In Umuahia
Rivers State Junior
Cricket team says it is set for the forthcoming open cricket championship scheduled to hold on April 15 in Umuahia, Abia State.
Already, the team has commenced intensive training to enable the players compete favourably and emerge victorious when the competition finally gets underway.
Captain of the team, Sunday Ahamefula who stated in interview with Tidesports in Port Harcourt said the team has skillful and talented players who has the capability to deliver good results at any competition.
According to him, the team is made up of students selected randomly from various schools in the state.
He said that Enithonia Boys High School emerged champions at the 2011 Soki Dakoro Cricket Championship held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and hosted by the chairman of cricket association, Soki Dakoro.
The competition was hosted amongst schools in the state such as Stella Maris College, Baptist High School, Comprehensive Secondary School, Enithonia Boys High School and Navy Secondary School,” he said.
The cricket player also, disclosed that the state cricket coach, Tonye Timinadi, has the capacity to lead the team to victory.
“Our coach is technically sound and gives us more than the basics of the sport as to enable us achieve our goal and excel in our chosen sport,” 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.