Sports
… Yet To Name Squad For COSAFA
Zambia national team
coach George Lwandamina has rubbished claims that he has announced his squad for the upcoming 2016 COSAFA Castle Cup.
‘Big George’ was quoted by a Zambian publication saying he is not aware of the reports and that he is still considering which players to select.
The report suggests that Chipolopolo’s team manager Stanley Kaseko posted a squad list on the FAZ Facebook page last week. According to the report, Lwandamina had called 22 players and excluded players like Christopher Katongo and Isaac Chansa as well several in-form players who ply their trade for local clubs.
However, Lwandamina later clarified that he only called players that took part in the 2016 CHAN tournament in Rwanda to assess where they were in terms of fitness and form.
“I have not called the COSAFA team, I don’t know who wrote that, I have not excluded anyone,” said Lwandamina.
“The door is not closed. When time comes for me to announce the COSAFA team, we will announce the team including those players who are doing well or performing for their clubs, they will be called.
“That’s the reason we call a certain number of players to camp first, and if you have seen, majority of those players on that list were at the CHAN, so we want to asses them, the door is open to all players. I have not dropped anyone or closed the door, I want to clarify that.”
The Southern African tournament is set to be staged by Namibia in June this year, with the Democratic Republic of Congo set to take part following Comoros withdrawal.
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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