Sports
Kalu Hails Amusan’s Gold Medal Feat
Former Governor of Abia State and Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has congratulated Tobi Amusan, for winning the women’s 100 metres hurdles in Oregon, United State of America, on Sunday.
Amusan is the first Nigerian athlete to win a Gold medal at the World Athletics Championship.
Kalu in a statement on Monday described Amusan, who is a graduate of University of Texas as a talented and skillful sprinter, while urging her to sustain the feat in future sporting events.
The Pillar of Sports in Africa called on the younger generation to embrace sports as a profession, adding that Amusan’s performance would inspire the womenfolk.
Kalu expressed happiness over the superlative outing of Amusan, adding that the athlete had done Nigeria proud.
He said, “I am elated with the record breaking performance of Tobi Amusan, who clinched a gold medal after winning the women’s 100 metres hurdles at the World Athletics Championship.
“The athlete’s victory is a welcome and timely development for Nigeria.
She has shown the world that Nigerians are talented.
Amusan has indeed made Nigerians proud with her performance”.
Kalu wished the sprinter continues with her success in her career.
Team Nigeria finished joint-13th on the medals table with Amusan’s Gold and Ese Brume’s Silver in the Women’s Long Jump.
Team USA won 33 medals comprising 13 Gold, seven Silver and 11 Bronze medals to win the championship, while Ethiopia finished second with ten medals of which four are Gold, four Silver and two Bronze.
Jamaica finished third with two Gold, seven Silver and one Bronze.
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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