Sports
NAN’s Reporter Bags Best Sports Journalist Award
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Osun State chapter, yesterday presented “Best Sports Journalist Award” to Olajide Idowu of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) for his outstanding contributions and coverage of sporting activities in the state.
Tide Sports source reports that Idowu was honoured with the award at the second edition of Osun SWAN Sports Awards 2018, held at the Atlantis Civic Event Centre in Osogbo.
Mr Adeniyi Adeshina, chief press secretary to Osun Governor, who chaired the event, commended the state SWAN for honouring sports men and women as well as prominent sports personalities and supporters in the state.
Adeshina said the state government would continue to support sports writers to boost sports development as well as uplift grassroot sports in the state.
The Chairman of Osun SWAN, Mr Adeyemi Aboderin, in his address said that the award was organised to appreciate those who are excelling and pushing the cause of sports development.
Aboderin said the award was to encourage the awardees to do more and to also encourage others to get involved in sports development and promotion.
“The awards are to recognise and appreciate those that have excelled and contributed to sports and sport development in Osun.
“It is also to appreciate our own people, sports writers, who had been giving sports adequate coverage and helping sports promotion in the state,” he said
Idowu, the awardee, in his own remark, thanked SWAN for the award and for recognising his works in the area of sport coverage.
He promised to continue to give sports the needed coverage and help promote grassroots sports and sports generally through his reportage.
Tidesports reports that others that bagged awards included: sports athletes, coaches and sports promoters, formal NFF technical director, Dr Bolaji Ojo-Oba, formal Tecnical Director of CAF, Dr Amos Adamu, and Nigerian-American Basketballer, Olumide Oyedeji.
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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