Sports
Senate President To Sponsor Baseball, Softball Championships
Preparations are in top gear for the maiden edition of the Senate President Youth Baseball and Softball Championships slated to hold in Ilorin, an official said in Lagos yesterday.
Femi Abolarin, the event’s coordinator, told Tidesports source that the competition, which is a national under-15 championships, would hold from January 31 to February 10.
He said also that the event woud take place at the Adewole Baseball and Softball Park in Ilorin, and it was being organised by the Double T Baseball and Softball Club.
Abolarin added that more than 500 players and officials from across the country would participate in the programme targeted at promoting the sport at the grassroots.
“We are working round the clock to ensure the success of this upcoming championship for young baseball and softball players in the country.
“The championship is named after Senator Bukola Saraki, a worthy son of Kwara state who has contributed immensely to the growth of the state and Nigeria at large.
“The competition will avail young players the opportunity to hone their skills and showcase their talents in the sport,’’ he said.
The official added that the championships which would go on to be an annual event was being supported and sponsored by the Kwara State Government.
“Ilorin is the home of baseball and softball in the country and I am proud to say that the first baseball and softball park in West Africa was built in Ilorin.
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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