Sports
NFF Moves To Escape FIFA Ban
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Chairman of the NFA Electoral Committee, Samson Ebohme said he is ready to conduct a better election soon, if the decisions of the Electoral Appeals Committee Chairman were anything to go by.
The NFF Electoral Committee Chairman, Okey Ajunwa, had on December 4 annulled the election of four persons into the NFA board citing abuse of electoral process.
The committee chairman subsequently gave seven days for a bye-election to be conducted for the annulled positions of the September 30 elections held in Warri, Delta.
The election of NFF President Amaju Pinnick and his Vice, Seyi Akinwunmi, as well as the elections of board members Felix Anyansi-Agwu and Rabiu Inua were affected in the annulment.
Ebohme, however, told newsmen that his committee members had a major role to play for the bye-elections to be possible.
He also said that the committee members’ contributions were necessary to ensure hitch free elections.
“I am only one member of the electoral committee and I have to get the input of the other members before coming out with a position on that appeals’ decision.
“This will help us conclude the process as quickly as possible without rancour,” Ebohme said.
He said the experience gathered in the conduct of the NFF board election held in Warri, Delta, was an eye-opener to his committee.
The electoral committee chairman also said that the decisions of the NFF Electoral Appeals Committee which annulled the NFF chairmanship election exposed certain things which his committee should work on.
“The decisions of the appeals committee have given us the reason to be more cautious while conducting election of this magnitude. “That decision and experience must come to bear in the future election; the experience we got in Warri will also be very useful to us,” he said.
According to Ebohme, the appeals decision which orders for a harmonisation of the Aug. 26 and Sept. 30 NFA board elections lists will not be difficult to achieve.
This, he said, was because the candidates had already been screened by his committee and the former committee led by Mr Amoni Biambo.
Ebohme explained that the only problem which could lead to candidate’s disqualification would be a situation where such candidate had an existing football matter in the court within or outside the country.
Obafemi Martins in a happy mood
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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