Sports
Asaba 2022: Delta Uncatchable, Rivers Surges To Sixth
As the 21st National Sports Festival, Asaba 2022 enters its penultimate day, Team Delta, the perennial top finishers at the festival has lived up to its promise to host and win comfortably. As at press time, official medals table indicates that Delta has amassed an unassailable lead with a total haul of 369 medals, 194 gold, 116 silver and 59 bronze. Bayelsa comes a distant second with 78 gold, 57 silver and 54 bronze medals, while Edo is on third with 38gold, 51 silver and 97 bronze medals. Meanwhile, Team Rivers has surged upwards on the medals table, climbing to the sixth position as at the time of this report. The team garnered, officially, 16 gold, 23 silver and 71 bronze medals.
Despite having a mixed day yesterday, Team Rivers added to their kitty a gold and silver medals from basketball,en and women, respectively, silver from 4×100 metres mixed relay, silver from 4×400 mixed relay race, bronze in 200 metres, men and bronze in para wheel chair 800metres, women.
It is hoped that the team would still harvest medals to try to climb up the ladder.
In another development, the Commissioner for Sports, Delta State and Chairman of the Asaba 2022 Festival, Charles Aniagwuhas commiserated with the family of the athlete, Chukwuemeka Igboanugo, 25, who lost his life after losing a boxing contest at the festival.
He said that his and Delta state’s condolences were being sent out to the government,people and contingent of Imo, who he was representing, the body of athletes in Nigeria and the Nigeria n Boxing Federation.
He said that the deceased died a hero in his attempt to represent his state and the country and went ahead to appeal to news men to be cautious in the way they report the incident in respect to the feelings of the deceased family.
The Commissioner explained that all necessary steps were taken to provide necessary medical facilities and personnel to handle health and accident related incidents. He however, noted that some mishaps are beyond human intervention, no matter how well one anticipates or handles them.
By: Gabriel Nwanetanya
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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