Sports
Nigerian Athletes Will Excel At African Games – Mgt Committee
AthIetics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Head of Competitions and Management Committee, Commodore Omatseye Nesiama (rtd), has said that with positive synergy, the challenges facing the federation would be surmounted as it grapples with competitions in the new season.
Nesiama, who was recently appointed AFN’s Head of Competitions and Management Committee, said the tasks ahead of the federation are deliverables.
“As head of competitions, our job is to make sure athIetes compete at all times… although times are short, the latest we heard from the Africa Games’ organisers in Ghana was that all entries should be submitted by middle of February. This makes our job very tight and urgent. It then means that AFN will adjust its programmes to accommodate the national trials within a short time to get all our athletes involved.”
The former AFN technical director also assured that his committee would liaise with the technical and other committees for good synergy to make the job achievable.
He informed that AFN would start its first competition for the season early in February and consistently through March for athIetes to get adequate preparation, insisting that there are more competitions this year than the previous year.
“Aside the AFN Golden League and Africa Games, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are among the huge tasks that are not insurmountable,” he said. Nesiama added that the accommodation of foreign-based athletes in the Africa Games competitions’ programme would happen without undue protocols, adding that the Federation would be dynamic and relax certain rules that may hinder athletes anywhere in the world from attending trials.
He assured that athletes would have the best preparations and warned that the federation would not tolerate any complacency, saying there would be strict adherence to discipline and laid down rules.
Nesiama also spelt out terms of reference for the Competition and Management Committee to include “seeing to the proper organisation of competitions endorsed by the AFN and organised by its affiliates, carry out an assessment of all competitions using assessment tools, which we shall develop ASAP, be responsible for appointing competition management officials and in conjunction with NAATO appoint officiating officials.”
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.