Sports
NTTF Director Urges Female Players To Emulate Oshonaike
The Technical Dircetor, Ni
geria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF),Anderson Bankole yesterday urged the country’s young female table tennis players to emulate Olufunke Oshonaike, the current Africa’s longest serving player.
Bankole told newsmen in Lagos that the female players had a lot to learn from her to be recognised in the sport like her.
“Oshonaike is a household name in not just Nigeria but Africa as a whole. She is one respected female player that I want our female athletes to emulate.
“She’s been long enough in sports and has so much knowledge to enlighten the younger players.
“She has been actively involved in table tennis for not less than 25 years and that’s a commendable achievement.
“Oshonaike has what it takes to mentor the present crop of young female players. She has been through it all and is well equipped with knowledge and experience,’’ he said.
Bankole, who is also a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), said that the current set of female table tennis players had a whole lot to do so as to be respected and recognised like Oshonaike.
“Our set of female players is not like Oshonaike. They need to be more committed so as to make a name in the sport.
“If we follow Oshonaike’s record from age 16 when she ventured into the sport, you will know she had been a shining light and is still,’’ he said.
He, however, advised Oshonaike to encourage and tutor the younger female table tennis players on how to achieve feats in the sport.
“I am charging her to rally round the females and offer words of advice and share her experiences over the years with them.
“Her words of encouragement will spur them into striving hard for recognition in the sport,’’ said Bankole.
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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