Sports
NRA Organises Seminar For Referees, Assistant Referees Others
In a bit to have quality officiating for the upcoming 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season, the Nigeria Football Referees’ Association (NRA) in conjunction with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has organised a ten day intensive programme for football referees, assistant referees and referees’ assessors at Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja, recently.
The programme which was well attended by all invitees received lectures on how to improve referees, assistant referees and referee assessors, mostly on practical field experience.
Speaking to newsmen at the sideline of the programme, the President of Nigeria (Football) referees’ association, Hon. Alhaji Sani Zubairu said the exercise is an annual event for Nigeria Football Referees towards kick- off of every football league season.
“This is an annual event we usually organise towards commencement of the League and before commencement of the second stanza’ he said
Alluding the assertion of the President, the Chairman Nigeria Football Federation Referees’ committee Faith Iraboh says “The football season is going to kick off in the next two weeks and to us, we need due diligence in preparing the referees, and assistant referees for the upcoming season and also the referee assessors. We took one week to take care of IFAB amendments of the laws of the game and its application. We went through looking at the laws, with football teams practicalizing it in the field of play.
The referee’s committee chairman asserted that much is expected from the referees, assistant referees and referees’ assessors measuring what was impacted in them throughout the exercise.
“Last year the performance of the referees was a little above average this year we expect the referees to perform optimally. We have tested them on the physical fitness and also on the laws of the game to know how well they assimilated what they were taught. This season, l am confident, going by the training they will do better than the last season”
“For the assessors, they are the guidance to the referees; they were told what is expected of them to be referees role models and mentors. The assessors were also engaged in the practical models of assessments, and they were tested on what they were taught”.
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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