Sports
NCF To Hold Invitational T20i Cricket Tourney
Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) President, Uyi Akpata, has confirmed the second NCF Women’s T20 International Cricket Tournament will hold in Lagos from March 19 to 26, 2023.
Akpata said preparation for a successful event began immediately after the maiden outing last year.
“We have world-class facilities across the country, as well as a successful talent-recruitment programme. So, the NCF Women’s T20 International is one of the avenues to showcase, groom and maximise the use of those facilities. The plans have been in place since last year,” he said.
At them first edition, Rwanda women’s national team beat Nigeria to win the event at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval in Lagos. The event featured Ghana, Sierra Leone and Gambia, who also used it to stake their claim for ranking points on the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20i log.
At the first edition, Rwanda women’s national team beat Nigeria to win the event at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval in Lagos. The event featured Ghana, Sierra Leone and Gambia, who also used it to stake their claim for ranking points on the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20i log.
He said this year’s event would feature all the teams that participated in the maiden edition, with Cameroun being the only first-time entry in the event, adding that both the Tafawa Balewa Square and the University of Lagos Ovals are being put in the best shape to host the tournament.
“Nigeria’s Women’s national team is one of the most improved on the continent in recent times, and the rate of adoption and investment in women’s cricket across the country makes the event a major part of our development agenda,” he said.
The NCF, apart from winning a global award for its development efforts in 2022, also commissioned a turf wicket at the Iyoba College (an all-girl school in Benin City) to drive deeper girl-child adoption of the game.
“From our deliberate investment in the female gender, we have a retinue of talents challenging virtually every established player in the national team. Just like last year, where we had some U-19 players represent the country and also proved themselves at the maiden event, we may be having new challengers for the supposed established players in the national teams,” he added.
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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