Sports
Rivers Athletes For Youth, Junior Games In US
Basketball players battling for glory during a recent national meet.
Two Rivers State athletes,
Christian Martins and Precious Moses have been picked among others to represent Nigeria in the forthcoming youths and Junior Games scheduled to hold in United States of America, USA later this year.
The selection was made during the just concluded athletes competition tagged D.K. Oluleoya under – 20 and Under – 17 National Championships held in Lagos.
According to the acting Captain of team Rivers, Peter Osademe, Rivers atheletes that participated in the Championships were nine in number. He said that all of them got to the finals, but only three won their events.
Those that emerged victorious include Precious Moses, Christian Martins, and Princess kara.
He further said that the athletes struggled on their own to take part in the week-long competition that ended at the weekend.
‘We went on our own with no help from anywhere, we had to sell most of our things just to be there:, he said.
He disclosed that they were told prior to the competition when they sought from the state that there were no such meet as the Under – 17 and Under – 20 games.
“Since, no support was coming forth from anywhere, we had to go there on own as we were eager to participate in the tournament and three of our athletes were picked”, he said.
The Under – 20 and 17 Youth and Junior Games to be hosted in the USA is mainly for track and field events.
It would be recalled the D.K. Olukoya Under 20 and Under 17 National Championships was geared towards the selection of athletes that would represent the country in Youth athletics competitions abroad.
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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