Sports
2023 Okpekpe Race Champion Shines At Diamond League
Daniel Simiu Ebenyo’s stock has continued to rise since he set a new 28:28 course record to win the men’s title at the Okpekpe international 10km road race in Okpekpe, Edo State, last May.
The 27-year-old last Friday ran a new 26:57.80 lifetime best in the 10,000m at the Memorial Van Damme Diamond League meeting in Brussels, Belgium to become only the third man in 2023 to run inside 27 minutes and the 72nd in history.
Since he made history in Okpekpe, Ebenyo made good his vow to make the podium at World Athletics’ flagship event, the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
He ran 27:52.60 to win the silver medal in the 10,000m to win his first ever world medal after placing fourth over the 3,000m at the World indoor championships in Belgrade, Serbia in 2022 and sixth in the senior race at the World Cross Country championships in Bathurst, Australia in February.
Ebenyo was delighted to finally break the 27 minutes barrier and said post race it was a dream come true.
“It feels so good to win here tonight. The crowd was very good tonight and that definitely helped me. It was very hot and a lot of athletes suffered but I felt very good and this is where I train for. I am so thankful and I thank God that I finally ran such a good time,” he 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.