Sports
National Stadium To Wear New Look, Soon
The National Stadium, Surulere, will soon wear a new look, as the Federal Government’s bid to restore the edifice back to its old glory has received a major boost with the commencement of laying of its tartan tracks.
One of the contracting companies handling the rehabilitation of the stadium, Kyle Next, confirmed that the laying of the tracks has begun and could be finalised in four weeks time with the newly installed facility in place.
Sports facilities installation and management company, Ideal Sports’ Track’s Technical Specialist, Joseph Ayinla, disclosed that the tracks would be laid in stages.
“The first stage that commenced last week is the elastic layer (e-layer) stage, which will be followed with the sealant stage to make the tracks impermeable to water and other fluids. The third stage will be the coating stage.
“After all these have been done, a certified world athletics tracks marker will then do the markings. There will be a nine lane running track and the strip for jumps, which is for long and triple jumps,” Ayinla said.
The track technical specialist was part of the team that laid the last tracks at the stadium in 1998, 24 years ago, and has been involved in the laying of such facilities in some other top class arena in the country and beyond.
Already, there has been the installation of a digital scoreboard and a revamping of the football pitch of the stadium by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement and the adopt a pitch initiative put in place by the Sports Minister, Sunday Dare.
On the rehabilitation of the terraces, the minister confirmed that progress is being made to source for the funds needed for the project.
“Our adopt-a-pitch arrangement with Premier Lotto for the Lagos National Stadium covers the pitch, tracks and scoreboard and that is on course. We are also making progress in sourcing the funds to fix the terraces.”
Meanwhile, the Federal Government last week began work on re-grassing the pitch of the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium (formerly called Liberty Stadium) in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Other highpoint of the sport infrastructure development drive of the sports ministry in the last three years has been the restoration of the playing turf of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, after many years of neglect.
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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