Sports
Hughley Mature Enough To Decide Future With D’Tigress – Ogunade
Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) Vice President, Babs Ogunade, has described the recent threat to quit women national team, D’Tigress, by Coach Otis Hughley over unpaid emoluments as unfortunate.
He, however, said that the solution resides with the sports ministry.
According to Ogunade, since the Sports Ministry has been running basketball in the country, the NBBF cannot be drawn into coach’s unpaid allowances saga.
He lamented that the ministry has not declared its official position despite the recognition of the Musa Kida-led board by world basketball governing body, FIBA.
“I agree that the Kida-led board appointed Hughley, but nobody should blame the board for the recent threat by the coach to quit his job over unpaid allowances,” he said.
“If you look at his demands, it is centred on the Japan 2020 Olympics and the World Cup qualifiers’ allowances and bonuses. The NBBF was not in charge of the team during the championships.
“The American coach is mature enough to take any decision he wants. We have no business on the payment of his allowances.
“Meanwhile, the Kida-led board is still waiting for the sports ministry to also recognise the board, as FiBA did, to enable the body start working. We are ready to work towards the progress of basketball in the country if the ministry gives us the nod,” 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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