Sports
MTN Relaunches Into Football, Partners Arsenal
One of the leading telecommunication companies in the country, MTN Nigeria has relaunched into football following its recent partnership with English Premier League side, Arsenal FC.
It was fun galore at the formal launching of the partnership in Port Harcourt, one of the cities the event held across the country at the weekend, during the Chelsea versus Arsenal fixture, as fans of both clubs, very important personalities, MTN customers converged to witness the game and partnership launch.
Explaining the reason behind the partnership, the General Manager, Eastern Operations of MTN, Obinna Nweje said that telecom giant was only trying to identify with most of things that make Nigerians and their customers happy.
According to him, Nigerians are football loving people who go a long way to identify with it and MTN wants to be involved in their happiness so that any time they think of football, MTN also comes to mind and they take the voyage together.
On the choice of Arsenal, the GM said that they considered the club as one of the biggest clubs in the world that have really identified with and given Nigerian players opportunities. He however, said that the essence of the partnership, which was just beginning, was to afford their customers, especially football fans the platform to enjoy the game more with MTN.
Indeed MTN has been involved with football over the years and have been playing one role or the other in sport. The company was one of the major sponsors of the first World Cup to be played in the continent when South Africa hosted the world in 2010.
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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