Sports
Edo 2020: Team Rivers Goes To Camp, Thursday
In a bid to to compete favourably and supersede records created at the 18th National Sports Festival, (NSF), Team Rivers has concluded arrangements to go into camping to further enhance its preparation for the task ahead.
The Head Coach, Rivers State Karate Association, Yahcob Davied disclosed this yesterday, in an interview with Tidesports in Port Harcourt.
According to him, the Acting Director of Rivers State Sports Council, Mildred Hart, and the Festival consultant, Mr, Sonny gave the direction last week, saying that coaches should get their teams together for camping to further prepare for the “EDO 2020” NSF.
He explained that a new date has been decided for the 19th National Sports Festival tagged “EDO 2020”, following the decision taken at the meeting held last week in Delta State by the various State Directors of Sports and the National Council on Sports.
Davied said that it was also, decided at the meeting that the fiesta would witness two sets, as sports would be split into two groups in oder to comply with COVID -19 rules, saying that, the two groups would take turns to participate in the competition.
He noted that the idea of reducing athletes is not good and may affect the medals chances of the teams.
“ I am not comfortable with the idea of reducing the number of athletes preparing for the Festival, l picked 16 athletes for the Festival and it was reduced to four, l do not get it. That is not good. It might affect our winning chances,” Davied said.
.Meanwhile, the Festival now holds between 3 and 17 December, still in Edo State.
It would be recalled that Team River’s Karate won one gold and silver medals at the 2018 edition of the NSF.
By: Nancy Briggs
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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