Sports
Football: Laloko, Hamilton, Decry Poor Standard
Some football coaches and fans have decried the falling standard of the game in Nigeria and called for a return to the basics.
Reacting to the National U-23 team’s 1-2 loss to Senegal on Tuesday in the ongoing CAF U-23 Championship in Morocco, the speakers said that something urgent needed to be done to save the situation.
Kasimawo Laloko, a former technical director, Nigeria Football Association (NFA) told the Tidesports Wednesday that he was worried over the country’s football.
Laloko said that Nigeria had to go back to the grassroots to revive football.
He also advised that football coaches be sent abroad for coaching clinics for them to improve on their performance.
“The solution to this lingering problem is for the NFA to go back to the grassroots to hunt for talents that would improve football in the country,’’ Laloko said.
Paul Hamilton, former Falcon‘s coach, also corroborated Laloko‘s view that the NFA should go back to the drawing board to ascertain the problems in football.
“The NFA should go back to the drawing board to chart a new course for the development of football in the country,’’ he said.
A veteran journalist and sports analyst, Ayo Oshitelu, blamed the defeat of the Olympics team on coach Austin Eguavoen’s technical lapses.
According to him, the coach failed to address the defensive lapses, which has threatened the team’s 2012 London Olympics qualification.
“I think the NFA technical department also needs capable hands to brighten the chances of Nigeria in international competitions,’’ Oshitelu 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.