Sports
CAA U-18, U-20 Championships:Nigeria’s Nesiama To Officiate
At echnical official in the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF), Omatseye Nesiama,has been invited by the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) to officiate at the upcoming U-18 and U-20 championships.
The championships are scheduled to hold from April 16 to April 20 in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.
In an interview with newsmen yesterday in Lagos Nesiama said that he was ever ready to contribute his quota to the development of athletics nationally, continentaly and globally.
A letter signed by the Director-General of CAA, Lamine Faty,said that Nesiama, whowas also a former Technical Director of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), had been appointed to officiate in the competitions.
The letter says: “I have the pleasure to inform you that you have been appointed by the CAA as ITO on the occasion of the combined Africa U-18 and U-20 Championships to be held in Abidjan from April 16 to April 20, 2019.
“In this respect, your transportation will be covered by the Local Organising Committee and an air ticket will be sent to you in due time,” it said.
Nesiama said that he would not hesitate to work with other international technical officials to support the development of athletics in the West African sub-region which has Ibrahim Gusau as its president.
“I want to also work with other ITOs to support the development of competitions in the West African sub-region where our own is the newly elected president,” he said.
Tidesports also gathered that the AFN’s former technical director also officiated at the 3rd Youth All Africa Games which held in Algiers in July, 2018.
Nesiama was first appointed into the CAA ITO for a duration of four years (2018 to 2022).
He was the Competition Director for the maiden African Youth Athletics Championships which held in 2013 in Warri; and was adjudged to have set the standard for similar competitions in Africa.
Nesiama is also a Technical Official Level One Lecturer in the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), thus becoming the third Nigerian to attain the status.
Nesiama’s rising profile in international technical officiating got him an invitation as a Resource Person to the refresher course for National Technical Officials in Nigeria on the new IAAF Technical Rules in 2017.
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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