Sports
FCT Badminton Association Hinges Hosting On Sponsorship
Hosting of the FCT National Badminton Championships will be dependent on availability of sponsors, Iyiola Ogundele, Secretary of FCT Badminton Association, said in Abuja.
Ogundele told newsmen that the second edition of the championships was expected to hold tentatively in August.
“We are anticipating that this year will be good for us. We hope to get sponsors to be able to hold the event.
“Last year we planned to organise the second edition of the FCT National U-15, U-19 and U-21 Badminton Championships, but this failed to be because of lack of sponsors.
“The first edition was in 2015 and the board met to put all the machinery in motion for the second edition. We started by visiting some government agencies and corporate organisations.
“The acting Director-General, Standards Organisation Nigeria (SON) promised to be one of our sponsors. But the change in the leadership of the organisation affected the hosting of the championships.
“We sent letters to many Embassies but only China promised to assist us.
“We are however hopeful this time around because both the Chinese Embassy and SON have promised to sponsor the championships this year. So, we hope to hold the championships in August,’’ he said.
Ogundele also said the Association intended to go to schools and visit clubs to resuscitate the game.
He said the Association wanted to encourage the youths to marry sports with education so as to make a better life from sports as a professional.
Ogundele said the Association was already discussing with the Chinese Embassy to offer scholarships to winners of the championships and also offer training programme to coaches.
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.