Sports
Siasia Happy With Team Tria Lists
Coach Samson Siasia has
lauded the quality of the players in the Nigeria U23 team training camp in Abuja.
Siasia said many of those especially from the academies and the Premier League have shown hunger and zeal to do the nation proud in the various competitions the team will be involved in next year.
“Getting the best legs to play for the country is work in progress, and so far I am impressed with what I have seen from those who have made themselves available to be looked at,” he said.
The coach said the team will hope to prune down the number in camp by Friday so as for them to concentrate on looking at the invited foreign-based players, who are expected to arrive camp by the weekend of December 6 and 7.
Already the team’s camp has such established Premier League stars like Rangers goalkeeper Akor Itodo, Warri Wolves pair of Freedom Omofonma and Etebor Oghenekaro, Pillars forward Azeez Shobowale, Azubuike Okechukwu and Tonbara Tiongoli from Bayelsa United, Adamu Hassan of Pillars, Obioma Arinze of El Kanemi Warriors, Chima Akas of Sharks and gold-winning U17 player Godwin Saviour of Plateau United.
The Dream Team VI will on Wednesday tackle Ine Stars Football Club of Benin in one of its numerous friendlies lined up to put the team in shape.
The Ine Stars friendly which is expected to be exciting will be played at the FIFA Goal Project at 4pm.
On Friday the team will battle Ace Football Club of Kaduna at the same venue and same time.
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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