Sports
‘Yusuf Best Among Coaches Presented’
A member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Technical Committee, Dahiru Sadi, has said that Salisu Yusuf is the best among the coaches presented to his committee by the football Federation for appointment as CHAN Eagles coach.
NFF First Vice President, Seyi Akinwunmi, had last week challenged journalists at the MTN/NPFL/La Liga U-15 football tournament to ask the technical committee why they endorsed Yusuf for the job, despite the bribery scandal that led to his one-year ban from all football related activities.
Speaking to Tidesports source on Monday, Sadi said he was confused by the uproar raised over the issue, adding that the committee knew about Yusuf’s case before arriving at picking him as the best choice.
“Coach Salisu, like every other Nigerian, has the right to be a coach of the national team. Even the bribery scandal was planned because he was framed up. Now that he has finished serving the punishment and has been punished for that, I do not understand again why people are making noise everywhere.
“In the list of coaches given to us by the NFF to choose from, we eventually chose Yusuf because he was the best for the job among other coaches listed for the CHAN Eagles.
“In the committee are Paul Bassey, Aminu Kurfi, Isaac Danladi, Victor Ikpeba, Mutiu Adepoju and myself. What we did was to also look at coaches who can work with the CHAN Eagles head coach as assistants.”
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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