Sports
‘Grassroots Tourneys Can Rewrite Nigeria’s Ranking In Sports’
For Nigeria to improve on its current rankings in sports generally, it has to deepen its search and grooming of skilled athletes with grassroots tournaments, a sports administrator has said.
Vice-President and Technical Director, Nigerian Rugby Football Federation (NRFF), Olatunji Fasimoye made the assertion yesterday in Lagos while speaking with newsmen in Lagos.
Fasimoye urged federations to deepen their search for skilled athletes by creating discovery tournaments and programmes that would unearth the talents at the grassroots.
He said that development of sports in the country was dependent on the creation of such programmes to discover skilled athletes.
According to him, the grassroots had a rich goldmine of talents yet to be discovered and who are skilled enough to rewrite the nation’s international rankings in various sports.
“We are gradually getting to see the end of the present generation of athletes and the need for a new generation who will replace and surpass the heights we have reached.
“Unfortunately, most sports authorities do not have plans ahead of time to ensure that new guys take over so we don’t drop the standard of the game when the old ones retire,’’ Faimoye said.
Fasimoye said that the Ministry of Youth and Sports should focus on supporting already existing programmes and creating avenues to search for new breed of talents.
“We have always been a great nation to reckon with in having quality athletes who represent us in various competitions.
“I am becoming optimistic that we may be on our way to living in lost glory if we do not create platforms to not only support and train upcoming athletes, but to retain them,’’ he said.
Fasimoye hailed the developmental programmes of the NRFF in partnership with organisations for the grooming of players and pleaded with the authorities to replicate the same ideas in their federations.
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.