Sports
New Era FC Wins OIL 88 Football Competition
New Era FC of Ajara on Saturday defeated Lion FC of Badagry 2-1 to emerge winner of the fourth edition of OIL 88 football tournament.
The Tidesports source reports that the competition was organised by Mr Olanrewaju Ibrahim Layode, popularly known as OIL, a member representing Badagry Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The winning team, apart from going home with the coveted trophy, got a cash prize of N100,000 donated by the lawmaker.
Other awards presented include Best Goalkeeper, won by Wahab Ayeni of New Era, and Utility Player, won by Michael Hunpe of Lion FC.
Gbenga Peter, Coach of New Era FC, commended the lawmaker for the competition.
“I am happy to lift this cup having failed twice at the finals of the last two editions. We need more under age competitions.
“We don’t have good pitches to train and we are not allowed to train in schools; we only come to army barracks here if the field is available,” he said.
Seyon Padonu, the Captain of New Era FC, who attributed the victory to the determination of the team, urged the government to organise more competitions.
Mautin Hungbo, the coach of Lion FC, also commended the lawmaker, calling for more competitions at the grassroots.
He said there were many talents wasting away at the grassroots.
Earlier, Badagry Soccer Warriors defeated All Stars of Atipromen 3-0 to win the bronze medal of the tournament.
The Match Commissioner, Toyon Sonayon, said the tournament, which involved 24 teams across Badagry Constituency, lasted one month.
Sonayon, who expressed satisfaction with the skills displayed by the young players, said regular competitions would bring the best out of them.
In his remarks, Layode said he was motivated by the complaints of the youths that they needed regular football competitions.
The lawmaker assured the youths that he would always give them support.
He said that he had also organised marathon competition for both young girls and boys in the area.
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.