Sports
One Golfer Out Of 81 Passes PGA Test
Only one amateur golfer passed this year’s Professional Golfers Association (PGA) qualifying school test to become a professional golfer.
The 11th edition of PGA qualifying school started on Tuesday at Lamingo Golf Club in Jos with 81 participants, but only one of them scaled through.
Samuel Igyem of the host club scored a gross 229, 13 over par to emerge victorious.
Speaking at the weekend shortly after the end of the four-day qualifying school, Igyem thanked God for giving him the grace to become a professional golfer.
The new member of PGA said that he would work had to become a champion not just in Nigeria but beyond.
The Director, PGA of Nigeria, Samson Lawal, said that it was the first time they were registering such a high number of participants in a qualifying school.
Lawal said the process to produce the professional golfers started about a year in various states.
“This type of qualifying school is an international forum where professionals-to-be are tested practically and mentally after having gone through some period of tutoring under seasoned golf professionals,” he said.
The director however announced that those who either passed the practical and failed the theory or passed theory and failed the practical would be given another opportunity.
“They will be re-tested in the next six months at a venue that would be announced to them on a later date.
“But those who failed both playing (practical) and classwork (theory) will go and work harder and come back another year,” he said.
Lawal thanked the state governor, Simon Lalong, and the Lamingo Golf Club management for the success of the qualifying school.
Speaking also, Tang Dapoet, the Captain of Lamingo Golf Club, said it was a big honour to host the event.
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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