Sports
Maigari To Meet FIFA President
Nigeria Football Association (NFA) President, Aminu Maigari and the Acting General Secretary, Musa Amodu will meet with FIFA President Sepp Blatter and General Secretary, Jerome Valcke at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland on Thursday, February 3.
The NFA top brass will hold extensive talks with the FIFA chieftains on the possibility of more FIFA goal projects for Nigeria, and quickly too.
The FIFA Development Officer for West Africa, Sampon Kablan, who is on a visit to Nigeria, met with the Members of NFA Executive Committee in Abuja last week and further drew their attention to the fact that Nigeria can benefit far more than it is currently enjoying.
“I am happy to see the peace and understanding that exists between the Ministry of Sports and the NFA. It is a good thing, and this will propel development programmes.
“All I need from you is permission and support to show positive aggression to secure more FIFA development programmes. You are behind schedule and should be benefitting more.
“Some countries like Ghana and Ivory Coast are on their fourth development projects, while Cape Verde is on the fifth. Nigeria, a great football nation by all means, has only been able to get one, the Technical Centre, and one artificial turf through the ‘Win-In-Africa-For-Africa’ programme that was launched as a result of the first FIFA World Cup in Africa,” stated Kablan.
At different meetings with the Honourable Minister/Chairman, National Sports Commission, Professor Taoheed Adedoja and the NFA Executive Committee, Kablan has suggested that FIFA should take the lead in the construction of a befitting, ultra-modern secretariat for the Nigeria Football Association.
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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