Sports
Rwanda Leads NCF T20i Cricket As Nigeria Lose Tourney
Former champions Rwanda made it two wins in two matches at the ongoing Nigeria Cricket Federation Women’s T20i invitational tournament, after beating Sierra Leone by 10 wickets on Monday at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval in Lagos, Tidesports source gathered.
Leonard Nhamburo’s ladies, who beat debutants and the highest ranked team, Tanzania, by 33 runs on Sunday also inflicted Sierra Leone’s second defeat on them.
The West Africans won the toss and elected to bat in the first innings, but they couldn’t hit the balls and posted just 57 runs all out in 11.5 overs.
That gave Rwanda some light work in the second innings as they needed just 5.5 overs to reach the 58 runs target for no loss.
Earlier, in the second game of the day, hosts Nigeria, who also beat Sierra Leone in their first game last Sunday lost their second game of the tournament to Tanzania by 49 runs, as the debutants grabbed their first win of the tourney.
Having faltered in their first game on Sunday, the East Africans returned with full throttle against Nigeria and posted 134 runs for the loss of four wickets in 20 overs, and the Female Yellow Greens could only muster 85 runs for eight wickets in 20 overs.
After the second round of matches, Rwanda lead the tourney with four points while Tanzania and Nigeria, with two points each, are second and third respectively with the East Africans ahead of the hosts with a better net run rate. Sierra Leone are still without a win after two matches.
The teams will return to action on Wednesday with Nigeria and Rwanda renewing their rivalry, while Tanzania will hope to extend their lead against Sierra Leone.
The four-nation tournament will be played till March 4 in a round-robin format and the team with the highest point will go home with the title.
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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