Sports
Ex-Internationals Caution Oliseh On Contract Terms
Some ex-internationals
have advised former Super Eagles Captain, Sunday Oliseh, to think twice before accepting an appointment from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as Head Coach of the national team.
They said that the advice was necessary in view of the management style of the NFF.
Former Green Eagles defender, Bright Omokaro said in Lagos that the NFF should make the terms of Oliseh’s contract public.
“This is important such that it does not look like the contract they had with Stephen Keshi.
“What I can say in this regard is that you and I don’t know the contract term. If my contract terms say I shouldn’t sleep and I slept, what do you think will happen?
‘They can fire me. In a contract job, it is easy to hire and fire but if it is a job that is on contract, then you can be hired and fired.
“But as for me, if there is need for replacement, why not! Most times, I wonder why we always talk about a foreign coach while we have good coaches here in Nigeria.
“I feel for Keshi, I am speechless because I don’t know the contract terms and what could have possibly led to his dismissal.
“If we know the contract terms, everybody will surely have something to say,’’ Omokaro said.
Tajudeen Disu, who is the Director of Sports at the Surulere Local Government Council in Lagos, also urged Oliseh to ensure that all gray areas in the contract were adequately taken care of.
He described the new coach as having what it takes to lead the national team.
Disu said that he believed that Oliseh would be able to assemble talented players into the Super Eagles fold.
He, however, identified a lack of technicality as a major problem plaguing the nation’s football administration.
“Those that know nothing about football are those that are managing it. How can a legal practitioner be the vice-president of NFF?
“It is in Nigeria that you will see a medical doctor as a minister of sports. Please tell me how a doctor by profession can perform in sports effectively.
“Sport men are the ones to take care of sports, doctors and lawyers should be in hospitals and chambers.
“Until these errors are corrected before we can be rest assured of efficient management of sports.’’
Disu urged government to investigate and scrutinise staff of the NFF in order to ascertain their competencies.
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.