Sports
Performance Of Stars FC Excites Coach
Coach Kayode Julius
of Rising Stars Football Academy of Akure has hailed his players brilliant 3-0 performance against Bussdor United FC of Port Harcourt.
The Week 12 match of the Nigeria Nationwide League (NNWL) was played on Monday at the Ondo State Sports Complex, Akure.
Julius told newsmen in Akure that the victory was a recovery from its 1-3 loss away to Lokoja FC in Week 11 of the league.
The coach, who attributed the victory to his boys playing to instruction, said the team remained committed to getting promoted to the Nigeria National League (NNL).
“I will like to appreciate the boys for getting the much needed goals and I am sure the state football agency is monitoring their progress.
“With this result, good things will come to them. We need to get an away win or draw to achieve our target of promotion,” he said.
Kehinde Adedipe, a player with the academy, said that it was not an easy game for his side.
“The half time pep-talk the coach had with us did the magic by enabling us to identify and to explore the weakness of our opponent,” he said.
Adedipe also agreed with his coach that the result was as a result of the team’s hard work and officials collectively.
Rising Stars now have 15 points from 12 matches.
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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