Sports
Handball Coaches Commend Federation Over League Competition
Some handball coaches on Saturday in Abuja commended the present board of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) for organising competitions to enhance the development of the game in the country.
Bala Mohammed, the chief coach of the Federal Road safety Corps (FRSC) Handball Clubs said the federation under the leadership of Samuel Ocheho has done a great job by securing a sponsor for the premier league.
“We have seen some tremendous changes. The present administration has secured sponsors for the league, which is the Prudent Energy and it has been working hard to bring back the lost glory of handball.
“I will like to commend the HFN President. He has done a wonderful work by bringing some innovation into the game of handball in Nigeria,” he said.
Solomon Yola, the coach of Kano Pillars said even though the former HFN board organised competitiond, but its efforts could not be compared to that of the present administration.
“The previous administration did have a league but it was just for one season, and this present board has come up with this league and it’s now in the second edition.
“It’s very pleasant to everybody, from coaches to officials, players and the fans. We need consistency and this administration is just doing that.
“The federation’s technical department has been picking talented players from all competitions, and they are of very different ages from all categories,” he said.
Ibrahim Nabado, the coach of Niger Vipers said the present HFN administration, was doing well.
He added that it was unfortunate it did not receive financial support from the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development.
“The present board is trying its best and it has done a lot, through the effort of securing external sponsors, the Prudent Energy company, and we are proud of its achievement.”
The coach added that the federation however choose a wrong time for this competition because of the Ramadan period.
“You should not expect anything too much from the players, because most of them are fasting and the time for the matches is not really too conducive for players.
“You don’t expect someone to play matches at 11:30 p.m and go home starting to walk from one end of the stadium to their hostel because the organisers did not provide transportation to convey players in the midnight.
“They will finish their games and go to rest for just two to three hours and start fasting. Then they come back by 8 a.m. to start another game.
“It is very stressful for players and coaches.
“So, the federation’s board
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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