Sports
Dare To Receive PAN ASC Trophy, Delegation
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, has confirmed his readiness to receive the inaugural PAN African Youth Scrabble Championship trophy and delegation in Abuja on May 15th ahead of the PANASA Championship, which holds from August 24 to 28, at the Chrisland School, Lagos.
President of the Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA), Adekoyejo Adegbesan, said that the trophy tour was to create more awareness on scrabble development in Nigeria and Africa.
“The sports minister has confirmed that he will receive the trophy today. Chrisland School has also planned an extensive event, which will include the police band meeting the trophy at the airport in Abuja. A convoy of vehicles will then lead us to see the minister, from where we will proceed for an international press conference. We will thereafter go to the Arise News Studio, where their former student, Ojinika Ojy Okpe, will be interviewing Jighere,” he said.
Meanwhile, the PAN African Scrabble Association (PANASA), in conjunction with Scrabble Association of Ghana (SAG), hosted former world champion, Nigeria’s Wellington Jighere, as part of activities to herald the historic African Youth Scrabble Championship (AYSC).
Jighere, who is the ambassador of the PANASA Championship billed to hold in Lagos in August, visited selected schools in Ghana to create more awareness of the championship.
The SAG honoured the most successful and most decorated African scrabble player during his visit because of his dexterity and influence on the game in the World.
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.