Sports
U-20 Women’s W/ Cup: Falconets Plan Training Tour
The Nigeria Football Association
(NFA) has said that the national U-20 women team, Falconets would embark on a training tour on July 6, ahead of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
NFA’s Director of Competitions, Mohammed Sanusi, told newsmen on Monday in Abuja that the tour would be in Canada, the host country for the tournament.
“The Falconets will embark on their training tour on July 6 and the tour will be in Canada, the host country of the World Cup they are preparing for.
“The essence of the tour is for them to acclimatise with the place before the tournament starts, so that the change in weather will not affect their performance.
“The tour will also afford them the opportunity to play quality friendly matches with high profile teams to keep them in tune for the World Cup,’’ he said.
On the team’s level of preparedness, Sanusi said that there was room for improvement, adding that “they don’t look too good for the World Cup’’.
He added that though the team’s group foes pose no threat to their progression to the second round, NFA would leave no stone unturned to ensure they got the best preparations.
“The team has been drawn with England, Mexico and Korea and of all the teams, it is only Korea that has been a hard nut to crack for the Falconets in the past years.
“But that is not to say that they can hinder our qualification from the group stage.
“This is because the other two teams have been the teams that we have beaten in this age- grade tournament in the past years.
“But in spite of the teams’ pedigree, we will not take things for granted; the association will not stop at anything to give the team the best,’’ Sanusi said.
“We are not setting any target for them because that will put them under unnecessary pressure, the only thing we do is to give them all they need and urge them to do well,’’ Sanusi said.
The Falconets were drawn in Group C with England, Mexico and Korea for the tournament in its seventh edition.
The 16-nation tournament is scheduled to hold in Canada from August 5 to 24.
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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