Sports
Ex-Sharks Captain, Odinga Inducted Into Class Of 94
Ex captain of Sharks FC of Port Harcourt, Odinga Odinga has been inducted into the Class of ’94 Hall of Fame of Comprehensive High School, Alesa Eleme, Rivers State.
The WAFU champion was honoured for his excellent service and outstanding attainment in football as sport ambassador by the foremost school during their first reunion after 29 years.
According to the President of the association, Hon. Solsuema Osaro, the formidable right-back during his playing days, was unanimously honoured as a sport ambassador, among seven others at the reunion ceremony.
Osaro noted that the association is proud of the exploits of the Ex Sharks skipper cum football administrator adding that the award will spur him to do more.
He said: “We had our first ever reunion after 29 years and in the course of doing that we decided to honour some of our outstanding colleagues who have made tremendous heights in their various careers and pursuits in life.
“Within 29 years, Coach Odinga Odinga is one of us who started playing football right from primary and secondary school and have gotten to the height he has reached today in football.
“The class unanimously honoured him as a sport ambassador in the Hall of Fame. He was given a Primus Interperse Honours in honour of his excellent service and outstanding achievements in football, sports as an ambassador.
“By this honour, he is inducted into the CHS Alesa Elemel ’94 Hall of Fame. We can recall that after playing through the secondary school team, winning medals for the school, he proceeded to play professional football with Sharks FC and became their captain and Rivers United.
“While in Sharks, he won the WAFU Championship after so many years. He was also the chairman of all clubs captains in Nigeria. These attainable heights are worth been appreciated and that is what informed why the class of 94 honoured him among seven of them. We are proud of Odinga Odinga as a great football administrator.”
While expressing his deepest gratitude to the CHS Class of ’94 for bestowing such great honour, Odinga pledged to give back to the society in the nearest future.
Odinga said: “I’m very happy and for my classmates to award me. I think this is the greatest award I have received. I’m very happy and proud of them believing in the nearest future I will give back to the society because of this award.”
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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