Sports
African Games: Female Yellow Greens Set To Make Statement
Following their second-place finish at the just-concluded Nigeria Cricket Federation Women’s T20i invitational tournament in Lagos, the Female Yellow Greens have turned their attention to the 13th African Game, set to hold from March 8 to 24 in Ghana, Tidesports source reports.
On Sunday, the team beat arch-rivals Rwanda by 20 runs at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval, Lagos to finish behind winners Tanzania in the fifth edition of the tournament, which is hosted by Nigeria annually to mark the International Women’s Day celebration.
The team returned to training on Monday to step up their preparations ahead of the debut of the cricket event in Ghana.
Despite not retaining the title which they won in 2023, this year’s edition has come handy in terms of preparations for the Female Yellow Greens, as they go into the African Games on the back of six highly competitive games.
We are moving into the African Games in high spirits because we had a befitting tournament to prepare ourselves. We have learnt never to give up and play till the last ball, so, we will be banking a lot on our experiences and abilities in Ghana,” captain Blessing Etim told Tidesports source.
Cricket is debuting at the Games in Ghana, with seven out of the 18 International Cricket Council Associate member countries, including Nigeria, hosts Ghana, Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda and Namibia, as well as the two full ICC members, South Africa and Zimbabwe, doing battle at the Achimota Cricket Grounds in Accra.
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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