Sports
Athletes Ranking: Onyali Applauds Sports Minister
A former sprint sensation, Mary Onyali, has applauded Nigerian athletes and the Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare after the rankings released by the World Athletics had 29 top athletes in the country in the Top 100 list in their various disciplines.
Onyali, a special assistant to the Sports Minister, noted that this feat has never been achieved before in history as she stressed that the policy of the Minister of sports ‘is working like magic’ to lift sports generally in the country.
Fifteen of the athletes are ranked in the top 50 of their event out of which six made it to the top 20. Reigning world 100m hurdles champion and record holder, Tobi Amusan, is ranked first while Ese Brume is ranked third in the long jump event.
Both athletes won medals for Nigeria at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon and also at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Sprinter Favour Ofili who made history as the first and only Nigerian athlete to run inside 23 seconds and 22 seconds over the 200m indoor (22.46) and outdoor (21.96), Discus Thrower, Chioma Onyekwere, triple jumper Ruth Usoro and shot putter, Chukwuebuak Enekwechi complete the list of those ranked among the top 20 best.
Five Nigerian sprinters are ranked in the women’s 100m with Rosemary Chukwuma topping the list. Others are Grace Nwokocha, Ofili, Tima Godbless and Ezinne Abba.
Favour Ashe leads three others in the Men’s 100m top 100 list. Ashe, the reigning Nigeria 100m king is ranked 25th while reigning African Games king, Raymond Ekevwo is ranked 30th. Others are Ushoritse Itshekiri (58) and Alaba Akintola (62).
Udodi Onwuzurike (25) and Akintola are the two who made it in the 200m while national record setters, Ezekiel Nathaniel (46) and Chinacherem Prosper Nnamdi (40).
Onyali in a swift reaction commended this feat saying that it was the 3D policy (Discipline, Determination and Dedication) of the Minister that was working for Nigeria.
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.