Sports
SWAN.Henry Kalio Cup: The Tide Shares Points With Today FM
Defending champions of the SWAN/Henry Kalio football tournament being organised among media workers in Rivers State in honour of former Chairman of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Rivers State Chapter, Late Henry Kalio, The Tide FC were yesterday denied maximum points in their second match.
Their opponents, today FM team matched a last minute equalizer to secure a 2-2 draw and a share of the points at stake in a keenly contested and exciting encounter.
The boastful today FM team had talked tough before the match and vowed to dissect The Tide team, adjudged by them to be living on past glory.
But when action started, they got what they did not bargain for as The Tide team matched them grit for grit.
Despite falling behind to a first half goal, The Tide team rallied to draw level before half time and went into the lead on resumption. When it appeared that The Tide was going to celebrate a second victory in as many matches, a last minute lapse at the rear cost them dearly as today FM cashed in to score the equalizer.
Earlier in the day, Team Wave FM suffered a consecutive defeat after they were manled 5-0 by a ruthless Treasure FM team in a largely one-sided encounter.
The loss saw them all but out of reckoning for qualification from the Group as Treasure for FM leads the log on six points from two games, The Tide second on four points from some number of game, while Cool/Wazobia/Info and Wave FM are without a point from one and two games, respectively.
The group plays next on Friday.
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.