Sports
N3m Up For Grabs At Ultimate Golf Challenge
In their desire to continue to encourage professional golf in the country, organisers of the annual Ultimate Golf Challenge have staked a prize of N3m for the winner of the third edition of the tournament, held on Wednesday.
Disclosing this at the event’s pre-tournament briefing at the Golf Section of Ikoyi Club 1938 on Tuesday, the Grand Patron of Ultimate Golf Challenge, Femi Pedro, promised to continue to work for the growth of professional golf in Nigeria and to uplift the living standards of the players.
“We came about this because we realise that some of our professional golfers are actually very good in the sport but have been limited by lack of sponsorship.
“This is why we came about the Ultimate Golf Challenge,” Pedro said.
Unlike the regular professional golf event played over 72, this version being is a challenging game of 36-hole played in one day, which will test the players’ resolve, determination, resilience, skills, perseverance and competence. Already, a field of 39 professional golfers led by US-based Tokunbo Pedro, Ghanaian top seed Vincent Torgah, veteran Emos Korblah and Nigeria’s highest ranked professional Sunday Olapade are on hand to battle for the N3m star prize.
Apart from other consolation prizes, there will also be appearance fees for all the participants, the organisers stated. Special monetary awards has also been staked in the nearest to the pin, while second and third-place finishers will also get prizes for their efforts.
Present at the briefing were Demola Mumuney, Chairman, Ikoyi Club 1938; Golf Captain, Anthony Oboh; Chairman, Event Organising Committee, Akin Semowo; Technical Director, Ultimate Golf, Olatunde Olakunle and representative of Polaris Bank, Olugbenga Owootomo.
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.