Sports
Rivers Hoopers Stay Unbeaten, Qualify For Next Stage
Nigerian Champions, Rivers Hoopers, made it three out of three at the ongoing Sahara Conference of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) with a commanding 21-point blowout of former BAL Champions US Monastir, as the KingsMen ran out with an 84-63 victory on Tuesday.
After much-needed rest last Monday, Rivers Hoopers, who had been impressive by notching up consecutive victories over Senegal’s AS Douanes and Rwanda’s APR, started the game in rampant form, making back-to-back buckets, including consecutive threes by Will Perry.
Hoopers opened up a 12-point lead at 14-2 inside the first five minutes of the encounter and remained prolific in shooting to wrap up the first quarter with a 9-point advantage at 25-16.
Again, the Hoopers were quickest out of the block at the start of the second quarter, scoring points early to extend their lead, including a brilliant alley-oop finished off by BAL Elevate player David Ike from a fine Kelvin Amayo pass.
Amayo proved to be unplayable on the day, firing three straight 3s in the final four minutes of the second quarter to give the Kings Men a massive 20-point advantage with the scores 49-29 at halftime.
US Monastir, who had inflicted defeat on Rivers Hoopers when both teams met during the inaugural BAL season, came out desperately needing to reduce the deficit at the start of the third quarter and enjoyed a good scoring spell. But Hoopers were undeterred and responded with some big shots of their own, including a poster dunk by Kelvin Amayo with 2:30 left, as the scores stood at 67-51 to end the third quarter.
Amayo stayed hot, scoring more big points during the fourth to take his tally to 30 points, as the KingsMen completed a dominant performance to swat aside US Monastir by 21 points.
The win was a third straight victory for Rivers Hoopers, who remain the only unbeaten side at the Sahara Conference of the BAL season 4.
Hoopers were spurred by a massive game-high 30 points and 9 assists from Kelvin Amayo which earned him the game’s MVP award. Amayo fired home six 3-pointers, also a game-high figure.
The Hoopers trio of Will Perry, Peter Olisemeka, and Devine Eke also reached double figures in scoring, with Perry putting up 19 points along with 9 assists, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals, while Olisemeka had 13 points and 9 rebounds, and Devine Eke posted a double-double of 13 points plus a massive game-high 12 rebounds.
The Rivers Hoopers bench also came up big, with the quintet of captain Victor Koko, BAL Elevate player David Ike, Abel Offia, Onyebuchi Vincent, and Anaiye Johnson combining for 9 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block.
The result means the KingsMen remain top of the Sahara Conference standings as they head into Game 4 against AS Douanes, on Thursday, 9th May, by 8pm.
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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