Sports
Fans Laud Dream Team For Qualification
Football fans on Wednesday lauded the U-23 team for defeating Senegal by 1-0 to qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The Tide reports that Nigeria was among the eight countries partcipating at the ongoing age-grade tournament that served as qualification for the Olympics.
Olajide Royal, Secretary of Women Amateur Football Association (WAF A), praised the players and coaching crew for winning the slot for the country.
Royal urged the coach to fortify the team ahead of the Olympics, to enhance the team performance.
“The most important thing is that we have qualified for the Olympics and the players should be commended for their effort.
“The team is still lacking in some areas and I hope Siasia will work on that and make the team more tactical,” he said.
Falade Oyekan, Chairman of the Lagos Divisional Football Association, said the team had done the nation proud.
Oyekan, who is also the Chairman, Committee on Grassroots Development of the Lagos State Football Association, urged the team to also strive hard and win the ongoing tournament in
Senegal.
“I’m happy Nigeria will participate in the football event in Rio, winning the ongoing championship will also be a plus to the team,” he said.
Also, Michael Eze, a grassroots football coach in Ajegunle, Lagos, commended the team for the Rio qualification.
Eze, however, expressed his disappointment with the performance of the team so far at the ongoing U-23 nations cup.
“Thank God we qualify for the Olympics but I am not happy with the way our team have been struggling in the tournament.
“All is not well with this team and we hope the coach will work on it,” he said.
Tidesports reports that the U-23 championship will end on December 12.
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.