Sports
NCF Runs First Coach Education Programme
Nigeria Cricket Federation has concluded necessary arrangements to organise a two-day coach Development Education programme for the coaches in Nigeria.
Head Coach and Manager of the High Performance unit of the Federation, Asanka Gurusinha is expected to anchor the event which is scheduled to hold today in Benin city, Edo State.
This was disclosed by head coach of the Rivers State Cricket Association, Tonye Timinadi, during a chat with Tidesports , yesterday in Port Harcourt.
According to Timinadi, who is also the National Development Manager of the South -South Region, all the National Team Coaches, the Development Officers of the NCF as well as Coaches across the Regions are expected to be part of the programme. Due to COVID-19 observance, only a few number will be allowed to be physically present for the course while the rest from across the six regions of the nation will join via Zoom application.
The essence of the programme is to streamline and synchronise the coaching templates across the country. The session will start with the theoretical work while tomorrow will be for the practical.
The coach education will run simultaneously with the National U17 Cricket Championships for the Boys category. The boys event which will hold at the Edo Boys High School, Benin, will climax the one-month Inter state and zonal competitions for girls and boys categories.
It would be recalled that team South-South won the girls version that ended on Sunday while the boys category started yesterday. The defending Champions, North West, will battle to retain their trophy while South- East, South-West, South-South and North-Central will leave no stone unturned to emerge as the new champions.
The U-17 tournaments which is powered by the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) will continue to be the avenue for the selection of the next U-19 players that will fly Nigeria’s flag in the next Division 1 Qualifiers in Africa.
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.