Sports
Osaji, Edwards Shines At Junior Tennis Tourney
Fast-rising Ndidi Osaji and David Edwards, who just returned from the ITF/CAT West and Central African Junior Tennis Championship in Togo, are already showing why they excelled at the West African tournament.
The pair were outstanding on the second day of the ongoing Azimuth Shipping Lines Limited Junior Tennis Championship holding at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan, Lagos.
Osaji, one of the U-14 girls, who won gold for Nigeria in the team event in Togo, was a tough nut to crack for Sarah Adisa in the girls U-14, as she won in two straight sets of 4-2, 5-4(3) to advance to the quarterfinal of the competition. She showed no sign of fatigue or burn out from the event in Togo, having returned less than 24 hours before her encounter on Tuesday afternoon. She matched her opponent stroke for stroke, while also hitting aces during the contest.
David Edwards, on the other hand, appeared jittery, at the start of his game against youngster, Oizen Ayoola. He dropped the first set 3-5, but the lad, who won one of Nigeria’s first matches at the AJC in Togo, stepped up his game in the second set, racing to a brilliant 4-1 lead before finishing the game with a super tiebreak 10-2 win.
As at the end of the competition yesterday evening, the U-16 boys and girls had yet to hit the court, but the boys and girls’ 14 had already reached the quarterfinals stage.
The competition, which served off on Monday, will end on Saturday at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan. The winners will be rewarded with trophies and cash.
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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