Sports
Senator Wants FG To Invest In Sports
Senator Shehu Sani (APC-Kaduna Central) has urged the Federal Government to address the dwindling fortunes of the country’s sports sector.
Sani stated this while receiving the Chairman of Kaduna State Cricket Association, Prof. Adam Ukwenya after a recent outing. He criticisied the manner, federal and state governments neglected the sports sector.
He said there was no sense in governments saying they were creating employment opportunities for youths but still allow neglect to creep into the sports sector.
“How do you neglect a sector which is capable of employing majority of such youths,” the senator said.
He described as a national embarrassment the Super Eagles’ position in the current FIFA ranking and team Nigeria’s poor preparation for the Rio Olympics.
“In addition to these two is Federal Government’s general attitude towards other sports other than football,” Sani said.
He said while Nigeria is a global force in sports, reports from the Rio Olympics have been embarrassing to the nation and its sports lovers.
“Going to the Rio Olympics without adequate preparations, as well as not even having good kits to wear during the opening ceremony, is shameful.
“We have consistently failed the athletes as a country. For such talented, able and willing young men and women to go out there and win laurels, we only rely on miracles and prayers always.
“We have not invested enough in the young athletes, only to embark on last-minute fire brigade approach and expect to win,” Sani said.
The senator said sports is among the most reliable source of foreign exchange for Nigeria and all countries of the world.
“A country like Cuba is globally known is boxing, India in cricket, Brazil and Argentina in football, Kenya and Ethiopia in marathon and the US in basketball.
“They all achieved these because they invested so much in those sports. We need to get our acts together and wake up to the global challenge,” he said.
“We can’t host the Olympics due to paucity of funds, yet we cannot even prepare adequately to participate in the Games which are organized once every four years”.
Sani, who is also a Patron of the state cricket association, urged governments to develop facilities for the athletes to enable them train locally ahead of competitions.
He pledged to ensure support for the development of cricket in Kaduna State.
“Kaduna can be a global force in the game of cricket, if we invest massively in developing the game”.
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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