Sports
Coach Blames Defeat On Poor Officiating
Adamawa United FC coach, Baba Buba, has blamed his team’s 0-1 loss to FRSC FC on poor officiating.
FRSC FC defeated Adamawa United FC 1-0 in a National League Group A Week Five match at the old parade ground last weekend in Abuja.
The only goal of the match was scored in the fifth minute of the first half.
Several efforts by Adamawa United FC to even score in the second half of the match proved abortive.
Buba told newsmen shortly after the match that some officials of the Abuja FA had approached match officials in the closing minutes to end the match so as to prevent his team from equalising.
“Nobody told me about it, I heard them myself.
“Some of the Abuja FA officials went to the match commissioner to end the game because they were afraid that my team was going to equalise,” he said.
He said that the “must-win attitude” of home teams was detrimental to the growth of the league.
The coach also said that he was satisfied with the performance of his players especially in the second half of the match.
On his part, Loveday Omoruyi, Coach of FRSC FC, praised his players for playing to instructions.
“I must commend my players for their discipline, I am an “attack minded’’ coach, so the instruction was to attack and you saw the chances they created.
“There are new players that are just joining us, so blending has been a problem but so far, they have been playing according to my instructions which resulted in what you saw today,” he said.
He, however, said his team would work harder in their next game against another Abuja side, Supreme Court FC, to ensure that they remained in a comfortable position on the league table.
FRSC FC has nine points from four matches while Adamawa United FC remains at the bottom of the table with three points after playing four matches.
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.