Sports
Enugu Rangers, Rivers United, Others Qualify For NPFL U-17 League Finals
Enugu Rangers will join Rivers United, Remo Stars, Plateau United and Katsina United in the national finals of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Youth league’s national finals billed to hold at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin.
Enugu Rangers qualified for the national finals by winning the Southeast zonal play-off, which featured Enyimba, Heartland and Abia Warriors’ youth teams.
They got seven points from their three matches at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, second-placed Heartland had six points, with Abia Warriors ending with two points, while Enyimba had only one point.
Enyimba’s solitary point came from their opening day 2-2 draw with Abia Warriors, while Rangers’ points came from their 1-0 win over Heartland on match day one and 3-0 bashing of Enyimba in the second match and a final day draw with Abia Warriors.
From the Ekiti centre, Remo Stars recorded nine points in the three games played at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, while Plateau United qualified on superior goal difference from the Lafia centre.
Plateau United and Lobi Stars ended the contest at the Lafia Centre on the same seven points, but Plateau United took the ticket courtesy of their superior goal difference.
Katsina won the Kaduna centre with seven points, followed by Doma United with six points, just as Rivers United took the South-South ticket with seven points after three days of hostilities at the Port Harcourt centre.
According to the NPFL, the draw for the national finals will hold on February 12, while the playoffs will run from February 13 to 17 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin.
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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