Sports
Eagles Set For Pre-Cote d’ivoire 2024 Tourney In Abu Dhabi
The Super Eagles will camp in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where they will also feature in a three-nation competition in preparation for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has said.
The African Cup of Nations will hold from January 13 to February 11, 2024.
Sports Minister, John Owan Enoh, officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Super Eagles Coach, Jose Peseiro, had on Wednesday met to deliberate on ways to equip the national team for victory at the Africa Cup of Nations.
They agreed to support the team for the task ahead, and the international mini tournament involving Stallions of Burkina Faso and Leopards of Congo DR is one of such events aimed at helping Peseiro to build a good team.
NFF Media Director, Ademola Olajire, said the Eagles chose UAE instead of their earlier proposed Morocco, after the federation’s meeting with Enoh and Peseiro in Abuja.
He said Super Eagles players and officials will start arriving in Abu Dhabi later this month for the final phase of their preparations for Cote d’Ivoire 2024 and leave the Middle East after the mini tournament.
Nigeria will play against hosts, Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau in Group A at the African Cup of Nations, which the Super Eagles is aiming to win for the first time since their last victory at the 2013 edition in South Africa.
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.