Sports
Commissioner Harps On Zonal Sports Competition
Commissioner for SportsRivers State , Hon Boma Iyaye, making a speech
Rivers State
Commissioner for Sports, Hon Boma Iyaye has urged the South-South Zone Sports directors to organise yearly sports competition within the zone.
He stated the ministry is ready to support the zone in any sports development programe, with the view to discover and expose talents in the area.
Hon Iyaye said this when the South-South Zone Sports directors paid him a courtesy visit in his office, on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.
He explained that the uncertainty of the National Sports Festival (NSF) to hold has discouraged some states, mostly Rivers State to call athletes into camping.
“As ministry and government we are ready to support any sports programe that will promote and develop sports in the zone.
It is important for the zone to organise sports competition yearly. Hon Iyaye said.
According to him, to enable the NSF hold on the specified date, the National Sports Commission (NSC) should have a backup plan.
“We cannot call athletes to camp because there is no specific date, so to plan is difficult.
The NSC should have a backup plan to enable the NSF to hold every two years as been specified, we must not wait for any particular state, this should also be taken as a policy” he stated.
Earlier the leader of the group, Zonal Co-ordinator Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, Benin, Yemi Usikaye said the visit gives them the opportunity to brain storm on how to move sports forward in the zone and seek support on their proposed national youth games scheduled to hold in August.
According to him, Rivers State is the leading state in the zone in terms of sports.
“Our visit is largely to work out modalities on how to develop and promote sports in the zone.
It is imperative to organise national youth games in August”, Usikaye said.
Tonye Orabere
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.