Sports
PFAN Kwara State Insists On Interests In FA Election
Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN), Kwara State chapter, has insisted that recent court orders resraining the Kwara Football Association from holding its elections be respected and that its right to vote as critical stakeholders in the round leather game be respected.
The association filed a suit at a Kwara state upper Area Court, sitting in Ilorin which has since restrained the state branch of the Football Association (FA) from conducting the June 13 election to be held in the Kaiama local government area of the state, meant to usher in the new administration for the soccer administrative body in the state.
Speaking at a press conference last Saturday, in Ilorin, the Chairman of the PFAN, Kwara State chapter, Coach Ashifat Sulyman accused the Chairman of Kwara FA, Mallam Idris Abdullahi of arrogating powers that he doesn’t have to himself by his decision to deny player’s union from participating in the elective congress.
Sulyman maintained that the players are the most important entity of football and the union will not succumb to any form of pressure or threats from the Chairman of Kwara FA to deny them their rights as contained in article 10.1 of the statutes of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
“As a law-abiding association that believes in powers associated with dialogue and consultation, we have written a series of letters to the Chairman of Kwara FA to see the danger of his primitive act of desperation but in his way, he refuses to thread on the path of honor and dignity to retract his decision”.
While stating that the union was left with no option after exhausting all forms of dialogue with the FA than to seek redress in a court of competent jurisdiction, he said, however, that PFAN had participated in elective congress in more than 20 states across the federation and that of Kwara State shouldn’t be an exception.
Sulyman revealed that the union has opened a channel of dialogue with the Kwara FA and is willing to withdraw the suit of the restraining order provided that FA acknowledges its statutory participation in the elective congress officially.
The FA called us to a meeting this morning and they have expressed their willingness to allow our union to be part of the election but we will only believe them if they communicate with us officially with a letter.
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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