Sports
Senator Seeks Re-Election As FA Chairman
The Senate Committee Chairman on Sports, Senator Obinna Ogba (PDP-Ebonyi Central), says he will still vie for the state Football Association (FA) chairmanship position which he has occupied for eight years.
Ogba, a Former Vice President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) made the declaration in a telephone chat with the Tidesports source last Monday in Abakaliki.
The senator, who was re-elected into the senate during the last general elections, said that his leadership of the state’s FA has impacted positively on football in the state and this necessitated his desire to continue in that position.
“We have to consolidate on the achievements on ground especially with the revamping of the sports sector by the Gov. David Umahi led-administration,” he said.
He debunked the notion that he had abandoned his privately-owned club Ebonyi United FC, runners up in the 2019 state federation cup final, decided on April 27.
“I registered the club for the just concluded state federation cup, provided kits and other logistics while offsetting the salaries of the officials and players.
“How then can people say I abandoned the club as one should not reply to every insinuation,” he said.
Supporting Ogba’s assertion, Ikechukwu Itumo, Team manager of the Ebonyi United FC club, said the senator had been doing his best to run the club.
“You know that politicians who took part in the just-concluded general elections spent lots of money and would need time to stabilise financially.
“I believe that when things normalise, those who are saying that he abandoned the club will speak differently,” he said.
Itumo noted that the club had learnt its lessons from its federation cup loss to Cynosure FC of Abakaliki, promising that noticeable flaws would be corrected before the national stage of the competition.
“The officials for instance, released the players’ feeding allowance late before the final and we are happy to notice these flaws presently, before the national competition,” he said.
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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