Sports
2020 NSF: Athletes Arrive For S’West Zonal Elimination, Today
Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), says athletes from the six states of the Southwest Zone will arrive the state for zonal elimination ahead of the 20th National Sports Festival today.
The Director of Public Relations, LSSC, Titi Oshodi, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Lagos on Monday.
She said the state government was ready to host the zonal elimination ahead of the Sports Festival holding in Benin, Edo State in March.
“The contingents for the South West Zonal eliminations will start arriving tomorrow ahead of the competition.
“The competition will see participants drawn from the six states that make up the zone battle for slots in the team events such as football, basketball, cricket, handball, hockey, volleyball and rugby.
“Representatives of the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports were in Lagos on Friday to inspect facilities and hostel accommodation for the South West zonal eliminations.
“The Zonal Coordinator, Olufemi Ajao and the Lagos Liaison Officer, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Bode Durotoye, and staff of the Lagos State Sports Commission inspected the accommodation for athletes and officials of the participating teams,’’ she said.
Oshodi said that the facilities for the competition were ready and in good shape while the state’s athletes were also ready to do the state proud.
“With facilities already in place for the competition, the inspection team finalised arrangements for hostel accommodation with the teams arriving today ahead of competitions on Wednesday at different venues across the state.
“Agege Stadium will play host to football; Teslim Balogun Stadium to host basketball and volleyball; the Cricket Oval, Tafawa Balewa Square cricket; Handball and Abula will hold at the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba.”
“Beach volleyball and rugby will take place at the Ram Field and Main Bowl, National Stadium, respectively; while hockey will take place at the Elegbata Mini Stadium
“While expressing the state’s readiness to stage a befitting competition, Chairman, LSSC, Sola Aiyepeku, said that the athletes are well motivated to do well at the qualifying tournament,’’ she 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.