Sports
Siasia Urges LMC, Dolphins To Resolve Emen Controversy
Coach of Nigeria U23 team
Samson Siasia has said he expects Dolphins and the Nigeria league to clear the age discrepancies of star striker Emem Eduok.
He further disclosed that once the issue is sorted out, the player is welcome back to the team to fight for a place.
Clarifying his position on the player, Siasia said: “The player came and never trained with the team as he said he was down with injury, and sought for permission to go and get himself properly treated before he returned, a request which I granted as I want the best from my players.”
Speaking further, the coach said he invited Eduok based on the fact that he knows the player was part of the team at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup and is aware that he is under the age.
“But when his name was sent to the League Management Company for clarification like we did with the names of all the players invited from the Premier League, we noticed that his date of birth in his license sent to the LMC showed him to be 23 years of age, so the problem is between his club and the LMC, which I think should be sorted out in the interest of the player.”
According to Siasia he needs all the best players the country could offer, that is why they embarked on an open screening exercise to unearth any good player, so he does not see how they would be shutting out a particular player who has shown to be one of the best this season.
Meanwhile, Siasia has said that there is no going back on a Friday closing date for the screening of all players from the local scene.
He said due to the short time available for the technical crew, they need to concentrate on the foreign-based players expected to start arriving the camp of the team from Saturday 6th December, as they will be having their screening from Monday 8th, December at the FIFA Goal Project, Abuja.
Amateur boxers doing what they know
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.