Sports
Remo, Ikorodu set for NPFL hearing, Today
The Nigeria Premier Football League has summoned Remo Stars and Ikorodu City to an investigative hearing today following reports of fracas and alleged physical attacks on fans during and after their Matchday 20 fixture.
The NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, expressed frustration that the incidents took place despite a reconciliation meeting held with top officials of both clubs in attendance.
“In the light of the reports and video evidence that are in our possession, the NPFL is inviting the two clubs to an investigative hearing today, January 20th , at our office in Abuja,” the NPFL statement read on Thursday.
Owumi said the hearing would enable the league to get to the immediate and remote causes of the incident and invoke the rules to apply due sanctions to anyone or club found culpable.
The controversy stems from Wednesday’s fiercely contested South West derby at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, which Remo Stars won 1-0 through Haruna Hadi’s 47th-minute strike.
The match came amid heightened tensions following the reverse fixture in Lagos in late December, which Ikorodu City won 1-0 and ended with a touchline disagreement between the clubs.
The NPFL had intervened with peace talks at its Abuja headquarters on Tuesday, seeking to prevent escalation between managers and supporters of the geographically proximate clubs.
Despite the interventions, the fixture was played under an atmosphere of cautious anticipation, with reports and video evidence of fracas emerging after the final whistle.
Remo Stars, who had temporarily relocated to the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta for the first half of the season, unveiled two new players ahead of kick-off, with defender Fabian Nworie immediately reinstated into the starting eleven and new attacker Albert Korvah introduced to the squad.
The victory lifted the defending champions to 13th position with 25 points, temporarily moving them off the relegation zone as they seek consistency in the second half of the season.
Elsewhere on Matchday 20, Shooting Stars delivered a commanding 3-0 home win over Enyimba in Ibadan, avenging their 1-0 loss in the reverse fixture in Aba.
Rivers United remain atop the NPFL table with 38 points, followed by Abia Warriors with 34. Remo Stars and Shooting Stars both sit on 32 points.
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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