Sports
NSF Gold Medalist Dumped Volleyball For Shooting
Ogun state athlete and gold medalist at the National Sports Festival in Kaduna (KADA 2009), Abimbola Ogunkoya has a thing for marksmanship sports. In a clime where ball sports are extremely popular, the gold medalist for Ogun state at KADA in shooting dumped two ball sports Volleyball and Handball for Shooting because of her love for precision and mental alertness.
“Before taking up shooting, I used to play volleyball and handball, which I began playing at Mayflower School Ikenne. I played the sport at the state level with the Ogun State Sports Council under the tutelage of late Coach Femi Akindele.
“I later dumped the ball sports for shooting because it has no age barrier and unlike volleyball, is an individual game where you get to prove yourself via your personal performances.
“Shooting as a precision sport has a lot to do with one’s mind thinking and stability. In Nigeria, many people view shooting as something associated with only uniform personnel, however, shooting as a sport is totally different from the live ammunition shooting done by security personnel. It is a sport that demands total concentration, mental thinking, and stability. If I am not shooting, I will surely be engaging myself in the sport of archery”
A graduate of Mass-Communication, Ogunkoya, who went on to win a gold medal at the KADA games, said the country stands to gain more if shooting is encouraged and invested in.
She said: “There is lots of challenges participants face in the sports of Shooting as it’s difficult for individual shooters to get access to air gun ownership, training equipment like cans of pellets and accessories like the shooting Jackets and other things, which are not readily available. This is because they are all imported and the exchange rate is not smiling on any common man now.
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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