Sports
Rangers FC Unveils Players For New Season
The management of Rangers International Football Club of Enugu, has unveiled the new players that have put pen to paper to defend the colors of the Flying Antelopes in the fast approaching 2022/2023 football season.
This is as one of the newly-signed players, Inemesit Sunday, promised to equal the goal-scoring record of Mfom Udoh in the Nigerian Professional Football League.
According to a statement by the team’s Media Officer, Nobert Okolie on Friday, the players were unveiled at a brief but colorful event on Thursday at the club’s players camp, Nkpokiti, Independence Layout, Enugu.
Okolie said that the Administrative Secretary of the club, Barrister Ferdinand Ugwuarua, welcomed the thirteen new players to the ‘Flying Antelopes’ fold while charging them to give their best on all occasions to help the club realize its set target for the season.
“We welcome you to Rangers and wish to remind you all that you came here through high recommendation from the scouting department and the technical adviser’s call. I charge you to be at your best in all situations both on and off the pitch so as to help us achieve our set target for the season,” stated the club administrator.
The players unveiled include; goalkeeper, Ogundare Detan Banabars who joins from 3SC; central-defender, Tunde Olaniyi from Sokoto United; attacking sensation, Saeed Jibril who crossed over from Plateau United; Left-back, Jacob John Okpe that was snatched from Niger Tornadoes; Attacking midfielder, Michael Ibe that is joining from Mashal F.C, Uzbekistan; and Defensive midfielder, Emmanuel Charles who moved from Akwa United.
Other players are; Attacking midfielder, Nwaodu Chukwudi Justin who last featured for Heartland; Right-back, Sani Shehu who joins from Gombe United; Attacking sensation, Naziru Auwalu Ibrahim that is joining from Rivers United; Goalkeeper, Emeka Nwabulu crossed over from Heartland; Central attacker, Inemesit Sunday takes his bags of goal scoring experience to Enugu from Dakkada; just as Striker, Reuben Bala Yakubu joins from Plateau United while Right-back/Defensive midfielder, Gabriel Innocent joins from Abia Warriors.
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.