Sports
Continental Championships:NBBF Tasked On Support For Clubsides
The Chairman of Dol
phins Female Basketball Club, Wale Aboderin, has called on the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) to support clubs that would be representing the country at continental championships.
Aboderin told newsmen that the NBBF was not doing enough in supporting clubs financially.
He said that the two clubs that represented Nigeria at the 2014 Africa Club Championship (ACC) for Women were the only teams at the championship without support from their federation.
“We were the only teams both at the qualifiers and the championship without institutional, governmental or federation’s support in any way.
“We have been doing things by ourselves but for teams from other countries, their federations either buy tickets for them or paid for their registration fees or even paid the players’ allowances.
“But our federation is never there for us. Even to register our teams at the continent level, it takes a long process.
“So it is everyman for himself and at the end of the day the federation takes the credit.
“Why don’t they want to take more credit by giving a team like ours every opportunity to win the cup?
“Dolphins were the youngest team at the championship but what we did really caught everybody by surprise.
“If we won the championship couldn’t it have been to the credit and glory of the federation?,’’ Aboderin asked.
It will be recalled that Dolphins and First Bank Basketball Club represented Nigeria at the 2014 ACC for Women in Tunisia.
Dolphins crashed out of the championship at the group stage, while First Bank could not go beyond the quarter-final stage.
First Bank ended up fourth position on the table out of the 10 teams that participated, while Dolphins placed fifth.
The Dolphins chairman, however, alleged that some board members of the federation had not been sincere about the funds they got from the National Sports Commission.
“On one, hand you hear there is no funding.
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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