Sports
AFCON 2027: Lagos Expresses Readiness To Host AFCON 2027
The Lagos State Government has expressed its readiness to host the 2027 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) which Nigeria is bidding to organize alongside the Republic of Benin.
Lagos State deputy governor Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, yesterday assured the Confederation of African Football (CAF) of her preparedness to provide good sporting facilities.
Hamzat also said that Lagos has the enabling environment to boost the interest of Nigeria in co-hosting the 2027 AFCON with the Benin Republic.
He gave the assurance while receiving, on behalf of the State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, CAF Inspection Team on a courtesy visit to the Round House, Alausa, Ikeja.
Hamzat noted that the state has all it takes as one of the centres to successfully host a great sporting event like the African Cup of Nations.
“Lagos has the people, the facilities, and the commitment of the government,” the deputy governor said.
He added that Lagos had in the past hosted the Under-17 and Under-20 World Cup football competitions, which gave the state an insight into the protocols of hosting.
Hamzat further assured the CAF delegation of good hospitality in the state from both the public and private sectors.
He noted that Lagos state is aiming beyond the 2027 AFCON, as it also plans to build the interest of the young generations in football.
According to him, Lagos is not only renovating the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere to ensure that it is elevated beyond its present standard for the competition and beyond.
It is also building new ones in different communities within the state to accommodate and encourage youths, both male and female, in terms of playing football and other sports.
“We are going to build more stadiums across the State, in places like Agege, Ifako-Ijaye, Ikorodu and Epe, among others to encourage more participation in community football by the youths,” Hamzat stated.
Speaking earlier, the leader of the Nigerian delegation for the 2027 AFCON bid, Mallam Mainasara Illo said the Inspection Team was in Lagos to inspect football facilities that have been proposed by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) for the hosting of the tournament.
Mallam Illo disclosed that six states in Nigeria and two cities in Benin Republic have been proposed to host the competition.
He added that the delegation hopes that the venues selected in Nigeria will pass the test.
Illo said that it will be inexcusable if Lagos, being Africa’s largest economy, the nation’s most populous state and one in which football is most passionately followed, does not pass the inspection test.
He, therefore, urged the state government to hasten work at the Teslim Balogun Stadium after CAF inspection team visited it and observed that construction is ongoing and other training centres that will be used for the competition.
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.