Sports
Dearth Of Activities Stalls Wheelchair Tennis Dev
A Nigerian player (right) trying to dribble past a Congolese oppoenent when both teams clashed in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
Kayode Savage, an As
sistant Coach with the national Wheelchair Tennis team, has Kayode Savage attributed the poor development of the sport in the country to dearth of activities
Savage said e that there had not been competition organised for players and technical course for officials since the beginning of the year.
According to him, there is no way players’ skills can be appraised if they are denied the opportunity of taking part in competitions.
“We entered the year with high expectations of having series of programmes for the players and officials, but I am sad that all through the first half of the year nothing was done.
“Even with the worsening situation of lack of fund, they should endevour to hold at least one championship in a quarter, it will keep the sport alive and players will be active.
“The significant way of motivating players to be consistent in their career is by staging competitions whereby they can exhibit their skills and we evaluate them,’’ he said.
The coach added that, the general development of the sport in the country would be in jeopardy, stressing that wheelchair tennis needed awareness at the grassroots.
He said that organising quarterly competitions in the country would help to attract athletes from within to familiarise and socialise with one another.
“Competitions can bring our upcoming athletes together where they will meet and interact with one another like one big family,’’ he added.
He recommended that corrective measures should be adapted to make-up for lost programmes in addition to the ones listed for the remaining part of the year.
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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