Sports
Hotel Manager Locks Out Heartland Players Over Bills
Things turned from bad to worse for players of relegation-threatened Nigeria Professional Football League side Heartland FC on Saturday after they were locked out of their Down Town Hotel rooms in Owerri, the Imo State capital over unpaid N700,000 bills.
The management of the hotel, which is located at MCC- Uratta Road in Owerri, insisted that the players would not leave for Kaduna ahead of Sunday’s (today) NPFL encounter with Wikki Tourists until they settled their debt.
The manager of the hotel, Emma Oparanozie, told our correspondent, “They will not be allowed to go to their rooms to take their belongings until they pay me my money.”
He said the players of the struggling Imo State-owned club had lodged in the hotel for over one month with their management not paying a dime.
The enraged hotel manager added, “They owe me over N700,000. I have been feeding them for over a month now. They should pay me and leave. I don’t even want them here again. They want to leave for Kaduna today (Saturday) but that will not happen until they give me my money.
“The General Manager of the club was here asking me to allow the players to leave for Kaduna but I said ‘no.’ They must pay me first. This is what they did to me last year. As I speak to you, Heartland Queens owe me N1.6m for accommodations and feeding. They should ask the state government to give me my money. I don’t want them again.”
When contacted, the spokesperson for the club, Solomon Onu, said the issue would be settled.
Onu said, “I am not aware of the development but if there is any issue it will be settled because the owner of the hotel is a football enthusiast and member of Heartland FC family.”
Heartland are currently 18th in the 20-team NPFL with 23 points after 24 matches.
The players had earlier protested over several months of nonpayment of their salaries and allowances.
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.