Sports
Corona, Others Shine At Inter-School Swimming
Bottom of FormCorona School, Riverbank School, Grange and Greensprings School all put up remarkable displays as the Primary School version of the 2024 Zenith Bank / Ikoyi Club Inter School Meets was concluded at the weekend.
The one-day event which had over 200 pupils competing in 33 events , saw Corona duo of Olufoladara Sokefun and Maryam Muhammed emerge as the MVPs for the boys’ and girls’ categories as they both bagged three gold medals each.
“I am very happy to win the MVP because I trained so hard. My parents are proud of me because they have been supporting my swimming career,” Muhammed said.
Emerging powerhouse, Riverbank, also had a colourful outing spearheaded by Muella siblings, Oghenemarho and Onanoro as well as Lumi Inegbedion. John Owen (Grange), Tishe Aninana (St Saviours)) Chizutelu Oguegbu (Meadowhall), among a few others, also had distinct performances.
Oluwadara Akanbi of IC Marlins and Foladara Sokefun won the girls and boys champion of champions’ races respectively. All the champions’ race participants were rewarded with ranging cash prizes.
Regina Jemide, the Head of School at Riverbank, on behalf of the schools, expressed delight at the flawless organization of the programme. She commended Zenith Bank for creating a platform which serve as the bedrock for swimming development in Nigeria tasking other to emulate the sponsors.
Swimming Section Chairman, Ikedichi Kanu, was appreciative of the schools, parents and officials.”It has been a roller-coaster.ride for every one of us. The event is growing by the years through the efforts of everyone. We look forward to a more exciting and bigger event next Saturday when we will stage the secondary schools event,” Kanu stated.
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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