Sports
Winning Triple Jump Excites Gold Medalist
A triple jump gold medallist at the ongoing 3rd and 14th Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Championships, Onaara Obamuwagun, says it feds great winning her first medal for Nigeria on Thursday.
Obamuwagun told Tidesports source from Cote d’Ivoire on telephone that “winning a gold medal for my country for the first time made me feel great’’.
“After all the stress of travelling all the way from Nigeria by bus and even getting harrassed at the various border points, it eagerly caused my spirit to want to beat all those I competed with.
“Winning the medal also made me proud of myself and I am sure that my family will equally be proud of me just as well,’’ she said.
Obamuwagun leapt a personal best of 12.78m which was more than her season’s best of 12.40m that qualified her for the competition.
South Africa’s Gontse Morake finished in the second position while Dorothy Kavhumbura of Zimbabwe placed third in the women’s triple jump event of the U-20 category.
Obamuwagun, an Arena Athletics Club athlete, who competed in the U-20 category, said that she got frightened because her personal coach was not with her at her first international assignment.
She however, said that her assigned coached encouraged and brought out the best in her.
“Before competing, I was like oh my God, my coach is not here with me, because he knows me better, he knows how to allay my fears, so I was really bothered about that.
“But fortunately for me, I met the coach that was put in charge to train me and he really helped, gave me the courage and I was no longer afraid.
“t was then that I knew I was going to win but all thanks to God,’’ she said.
As at Day two of the championships, Nigeria recorded five gold and seven bronze medals.
About 36 countries are participating in the continental championships which began on April 16, to end tomorrow.
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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