Sports
Helen Mark Harps On Sportsmanlike Attitude
Wife of Nigeria’s Sen
ate President David Mark Mrs Helen Mark, has called on Nigerians especially the youth to always imbibe a sportsmanship attitude in the pursuit of their goal.
Mrs Mark made the call in Otukpo, Benue, at the closing of the 2014 Mark D’ Ball Basketball competition which saw 19 teams slug it out for the coveted trophy.
She said imbibing a sportsmanlike attitude which centred on comportment and rules would help the country achieve its 2015 election targets.
“Sports are a unifying factor and we are all one; if we can do this on the sporting arena, why can’t we do this elsewhere in the country?
“We must continue to pray for Nigeria in our challenging times because we have security challenges in many parts of our country.
“So, we must continue to pray fervently that God brings peace to our country Nigeria this 2015.
“We must continue to pray for the leadership of the country from the President Goodluck Jonathan, the Vice President and our own Senate President to the governor of Benue State and the Houses of Assembly in Nigeria.
“And for people also to pray that our elections are peaceful because there will be no meaningful development in an atmosphere of chaos,’’ she said.
Mark noted that the money used in the fight against insurgency would have been used to develop sporting facilities and other social amenities in the country.
Tournament favorite, named Blame it on Experience, won the coveted trophy for the 2014 edition of ‘Mark D Ball’ basketball competition.
The club defeated arch-rivals, ESPN, 86-77 in the final of the competition, while Benue Braves defeated Apa Flames of Otukpo, with a narrow margin of 42-41 to win the third place match.
In the female category, Pearls of Lagos overpowered Baby Seals also of Lagos, 74-67, to lift the title.
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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