Sports
Former Sports Director Sues For Quality Leadership
A former Director of Sports, Rivers State Sports Council, Mr Joshua Kio has reiterated that youths as future leaders of tomorrow should promote peaceful co-existence among themselves.
Kio, a retired permanent secretary made the assertion when the organising committee of Late Chief Dappa Biriye annual soccer cup competition led by the President General of the League of Character Club, Nigeria, High Chief Christian Kokoriko paid him a visit at the weekend, in his office in Port Harcourt.
He enjoined all youths to be of good character and discipline as the future lay on their shoulder, stressing that they should shun all vices inimical to the norms of the society, and commended the league of character clubs Nigeria for sustaining the annual Late Chief Pere Harold Dappa Biriye, which had moulded the character of youths and engaged them meaningfully for their livelihood.
The former sports director thanked them for founding him worthy for an award and promised to live up to expectation as a character, adding that with character the society would be a better place.
Kio further used the opportunity to commiserate with the family of Kokoriko over the death of their son, Late Chief Godspower Kokoriko, a.k.a. Soccer Fire, who had contributed to grass-root sports promotion and development in the state, national and internationally, praying God to give them courage to bear the irreplaceable loss.
Earlier, High Chief Christian Kokoriko commended the awardee, Mr J.J. Kio for developing the sports industry in the state and for promoting youths peaceful co-existence, and appealed to the government and other good spirited individuals to assist the league in its efforts to sustain the annual Dappa Biriye soccer cup competition in the South-South and South-East.
Kokoriko also commended the State Government for their desire to host the African Wrestling Championship which would further bring the youths together, groom them for the future and promote wrestling in the State.
Mr Kio was honoured with character Award Certificate by the League of Character Clubs, Nigeria during the visit.
Collins Barasimeye
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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