Sports
2022WAFCON:Winners To Get $500,000
The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) has announced a 150 per cent increase in the prize money for winners in this year’s TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), which began at the weekend in Morocco.
The CAF President, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, who disclosed this in a statement, said the increment was as a result of a new policy by the Africa’s football governing body to make women football in Africa competitive.
According to him, the president of CAF and the executive committee ranked women football amongst top priorities of the confederation.
The competition, which kicked off yesterday, saw hosts, Morocco played against Burkina Faso in the opening match at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, in Rabat.
This year’s winner will go home with prize money of $500 000, which is a 150 per cent increase of $300 000. Previous winners of the competition got $200 000.
The prize money for runners-up has almost doubled from $175, 000 to $300, 000 while the semi-finalists will get $225, 000 each, an increase from $125, 000.
The overall prize money for the competition was increased from $975 000 to $2,400 000, an increase of almost $1.5 million.
Meanwhile, this year’s edition will be a groundbreaking one, as the tournament will, for the first time, see the use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) at all 28 match venues.
Commenting on the use of VAR at this year’s competition, the Director of Referees, Eddy Mailet, said: “This is a bold step in the right direction. As women’s football is growing in Africa, it is important that we adopt the latest trends and technology to enhance the game.
“We have some of the best match officials in Africa in Morocco and training and development of them is key for us. Four female match officials, Salima Mukasanga of Rwanda, Carine Atemzabong of Cameroon and Fatiha Jermoumi, and Bouchra Karboubi from Morocco, were part of the list of match officials at the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon and did an amazing job.
“By using VAR for all matches at WAFCON, we are looking to continue the progression and development of the standard of CAF women’s football.”
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.