Sports
Dream Team Needs Quality Friendly Matches – Ex-U17 Player
A former national under-17
male football team coach, Godwin Izilein, says it is possible for the Dream Team to re-enact Nigeria’s 1996 Atlanta Olympics’ feat at the Rio Olympics.
Izilien told newsmen in Benin that the present players in the national under-23 male team would do well after playing quality friendly matches.
The coach, who also handled the Super Falcons at a time, said the matches would expose the good and bad sides of the team.
He however pointed out that aside proper training and exposure which such quality matches would afford the team, organising such matches would still be determined by availability of fund.
“What we need is the availability of fund to organise quality matches.
“We also need the support of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in spite of the crisis rocking the football body.
“The crisis should not in any way affect the team’s preparations. There should be no distraction of any kind.
“We are capable of winning the gold medal in Rio in August because we now have more flexible and exposed players than we had at the 1996 Olympics.’’
Speaking on the team’s head coach Samson Siasia, Izilein said he was now mature and listens to suggestions.
“His method of picking players for the Olympics team is satisfactory,’’ he said.
Similarly, a sports analyst, Joshua Obadan, said in another interview that NFF must ensure a proper training camp and motivation of the players to achieve a good result.
“It is not a tall dream for Nigeria to win the gold medal, but NFF must be at its best. We have the players but they need to be motivated to put in their best.
“We must do away with the usual practice of going to the Games in batches, which in most cases lower the morale of players and affects the team’s overall performance,” he said.
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.