Sports
15 Teams For 2017 Hockey Super League
The Nigeria Hockey Federation (NHF) yesterday in Abuja said 15 teams were set to take part in the 2017 Hockey Super League.
Secretary-General of the federation, Rita Akande, told newsmen that the league would hold from (this weekend) to July 15 at the Abuja National Stadium.
She said the 15 teams were made up of eight male and seven female, adding that the league would feature seven matches each day.
The male teams include two-times champions Niger Flickers of Minna, Union Bank of Lagos, Police Machine and Yobe Desert Rollers of Damaturu.
The others are El-Kanemi Flickers of Maiduguri, Kada Stars of Kaduna, RIV Kings of Port Harcourt and IGP Flickers.
For the female competition, the participating teams are Kada Queens of Kaduna, Heartland of Owerri, Benue Amazons of Makurdi and IGP Babes.
The rest are Yobe Desert Queens of Damaturu, Plateau Queens of Jos and RIV Queens of Port Harcourt.
The NHF Secretary-General said 24 officials, led by Hulda Ambe, would be on ground to ensure that the league went on smoothly.
Akande said the league’s winners in both the male and female categories would represent Nigeria at the Africa Club Championships slated for Egypt in December.
“The Africa Club Championships were earlier slated to hold in August but were postponed to December.
“The postponement is a blessing to us in Nigeria because the Super League will give us the opportunity to scout for more players which will join the national teams,’’ she said.
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.