Sports
Enthusiast Calls For Increased Private Sponsorship Of Football
A Lagos-based football enthusiast, Segun Amosu, on Wednesday called on individuals and corporate organisations to support the development of sports in Nigeria.
Amosu, also the owner of Sinatra Sports Bar and Lounge, situated in Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja, Lagos, expressed his determination to give Futsa Football a lift in the country.
He told newsmen that the Futsa Tournament (a five aside football competition) had been holding in the Sinatra Sports arena, and had benefited the Futsa Association in Lagos.
According to him, the association has been able to develop young players and also identify new talents through competitions.
He said that the Sinatra Sports Bar and Lounge had partnered with the Futsa Federation and had equally hosted many Futsa Tournaments in which participants benefited immensely from the prize money attached.
“My passion for owning a sports arena is to give youths the chance to live their dreams and showcase their talents in the areas they love,’’ Amosu said.
The sports enthusiast said he also used the sports arena to host Play Station I Competitions, where no fewer than 600 participants had come to compete for the overall prize money.
Amosu said that sports enthusiasts had also come in to compete favourably in other games like darts, scrabble, chess, snooker/pool, and Ayo Olopon (a local game) for noteworthy prize money.
“I am proud of what I have achieved through the Sinatra Sports Bar/Lounge because youths are benefiting from it, and I hope other private individuals can learn from me,’’ he said.
Amosu, who is also President, Marraccana FC of Abuja, said that he had been actively involved in the development of football and other sports since 1995 in Abuja.
“I have been actively involved in football since 1995, and in 2001, I became the President of Marraccana FC in Abuja, where we went ahead to play in many FA Cup competitions.
“Nigeria, as a country, is a sports-loving country, and in Marraccana FC, we have top military, police and top businessmen as members of our club”.
“Recently, I met with the representatives of Chelsea FC of England, where we became accredited partners and are eager to use the sports bar as a fan base in Nigeria.
“It is part of his social responsibility to the community to create an atmosphere where people can come together to interact,’’ Amosu 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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