Sports
Scribe Rates Dangote Gymnastics Championships High
The Secretary-General of
the Gymnastics Federation of Nigeria (GFN), Rita Akande, has in Abuja gave high ratings to the 5th Alhaji Aliko Dangote Gymnastics Championships.
Teams from nine states, the FCT and four clubs participated in this year’s edition of the championships at the Abuja National Stadium’s Gymnasium.
Akande told newsmen that the 2014 edition of the championships have helped in discovering a lot of talents.
She said the championships had grown to become a platform for discovering talents for the country since its inception in 2009.
“Today, we are witnessing the fifth edition of the championships that has helped in discovering a lot of talents for Nigeria.
“It has continued to do just that, with what we have seen this time around in this fifth edition,’’ the GFN secretary said.
She however praised the championships’sponsor, Mr Foluso Adefemi, for providing the enabling environment for things to happen in the sport in Nigeria.
“I will like to greatly appreciate the sponsor of this wonderful championship, Mr Foluso Adefemi who has created this opportunity and platform for discovering talents,” Akande said.
She said Adefemi, who is the President of GFN and also the Chief Executive Officer of Union Maritime Agency, had been the sole sponsor of the championships.
Akande then solicited for more sponsorship from both corporate bodies and individuals to help in the development of the country’s gymnasts.
“I can assure you that, with the crop of talents we have been able to discover in this championships, the future of our great country in the sport is bright.
“But, there is the need to harness and nurture these talents in order to put Nigeria on the map of the best gymnastics nations,” she said.
The GFN secretary said Nigerians needed to realise that sports has been used as a tool for curbing social vices all over the world, and therefore needed to invest in it.
She said this helps in channeling the excess energy of the youths into positive use.
“Government cannot do it alone, especially when there are other pressing issues that needed to be attended to,” Akande 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.
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