Sports
Protest Rocks Kwara Local Football Council Election
Some members of the Kwara State FA have protested their disqualification from the upcoming local football council elections, which will hold March 21, Tidesports source reports.
Following the order of the Nigeria Football Federation to state football associations to conduct elections into their respective local football councils as a prelude to the state elections, the Kwara FA constituted a committee headed by a former chairman, Saliu Ojibara.
However, four local councils, Asa, Ifelodun, Ilorin West and Moro were allegedly prevented from the process due to non-payment of affiliation fees as well as incomplete electorate list, meaning that every aspirant from the local councils could not take part in the elections.
As a result, interim committees were sworn in on Sunday to take charge of the local councils and ensure all conditions for elections were met in 30 days, while elections into the other local councils would go on as scheduled.
One of the affected aspirants, who is currently the caretaker Chairman of Ilorin West Local Council, Yahaya Yar’adua, claimed he wasn’t aware of such payment.
“It’s not up to a year that I’ve been in charge and the FA had not written to us about such before until the election. In fact, we were not even told during the screening, we just read it on the group chat after we had gone for screening that our local football councils won’t participate in the elections,” Yar’adua said.
Another affected aspirant from Asa local council, Ibraheem Ajao, noted that the moves were all schemes of the current Kwara FA chairman to ensure his return for a second term.
“All the four local councils that are affected are the ones the chairman knows won’t support his second term.”
Chairman of the electoral committee, Saliu Ojibara, noted that the body followed the electoral guidelines during the process that led to the disqualification of the councils.
“This is the first time we are having local council elections and we are applying the electoral guidelines which is available for all the members. There are still room for them to regularise and fulfil their conditions, but if they can’t do that within the stipulated time, a bye-election will be conducted after this, Ojibara said.”
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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