Sports
Coach Attributes Victory In Baseball To Hard Work
The Head Coach of Team Rivers’ baseball, Saibu Adamsi, has attributed the gold medal won by his boys (players), in the just concluded National Youths Games (NYG) in Asaba, Delta State to hard work.
He said that for the past three months, his players had been training so hard for the youth games because they wanted the gold medal dearly.
Adamsi said this last Friday in an exclusive interview with Tidesports shortly after they secured gold medal in NYG in Asaba.
“ I want to thank God for the victory. First, I was a little bit disappointed with the umpire but when the right thing was done we carried the day.
“I was not perturbed even when we were down 2-1 because I know my players and their abilities.
“I know what we have been doing in our training so I was not worried.
In this game as a coach, you have to fight for your right. If not for my fight I would have lost the game,”Adamsi said.
He thanked Bayelsa and Delta states baseball coaches who assisted him to fight when the umpire wanted to rob him, adding that he is the happiest coach.
He appealed to the Rivers State Government to assist baseball in the state for the growth of the game.
“ I want the Rivers State Government to assist baseball to have a formidable team in the state, both male and female.
“Look at what happened to the female baseball team. They said that some of the players were not registered in the NYG but they went and played for the Bayelsa team and won a gold medal in baseball for Bayelsa.
“So I think with the support of the government, we are going to go far in the game and it will help the youth to shift their attention
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.