Sports
D’Tigress Can Do Well At FIBA World Cup, Ahmedu Assures
Peter Ahmedu, the coach of Nigeria’s senior national women basketball team, on Thursday said he was optimistic that the team would do well at the 2018 Tidesports source reports that the competition holds from Sept. 22 to Sept. 30 in Tenerife.
D’Tigress are grouped alongside Turkey, Australia and Argentina.
Ahmedu told newsmen in Lagos that with good preparations and the right players anything was possible.
The coach, however, described the group as a very tough one, assuring basketball fans that with Nigeria could surpass all expectations.
“We will do well if we start preparations early and have the right players on ground to train and build a good team towards the competition.
“We are the current African champions, a feat we achieved not too long ago where nobody gave us a chance. We proved the doubters wrong.
“The World Cup challenge is obviously a different terrain, but with the array of players we have in Europe, Asia and the U.S., we can make spring some surprises,’’ Ahmedu said.
Speaking also, Sam Ahmedu, the President of FIBA Zone 3 West Africa, assured that all necessary things would be done to ensure that Nigeria performed well at the competition.
“It is going to be a very tight group but we can shock the world of basketball.
“Preparations have started already as we have informed the players. So, when we call for them to resume camp they will be ready to perform their task,’’ the retired Nigerian Army Colonel said.
Also, the FIBA Executive Director for Africa, Alphonse Bile, while assessing Nigeria’s chances at the World Cup, acknowledged that it was going to be a difficult task.
“Nigeria is a good team, but playing against Turkey who are one of the strong teams in Europe and Australia who are one of the best teams in the world will not be easy.
“But that is not to write the Nigerian team off, because in basketball anything is possible. I wish them well however,’’ Bile said.
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.