Sports
HFN Restates Commitment To Youth Dev
The Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN), has restated its commitment to youth development programmes as a way of reviving the sport.
HFN President, Yusuf Dauda told newsmen that the developmental programmes were to identify talents that would regain the country’s lost glory in handball.
“We have realised that we have to go back to the grassroots and discover talents for us to restore the lost glory of handball in Nigeria,” Dauda said.
He said the federation had been working hard to ensure that its U-12, U-15, U-18 and U-21 championships that started in 2011 produced quality players.
Dauda said that a good number of players from the youth programmes formed the national junior teams that represented the country at the Challenge Trophy Competition Ghana last month.
The HFN boss said the players proved their competence by winning their matches at the tournament from the preliminaries to the final.
“Majority of them are products of our grassroots programmes, they were selected, based on their abilities and follow-up progrmmes and these brought out the best in them,” he added.
Dauda said the HFN now had a formidable national junior team that could represent the country proudly in championships.
He said the federation was integrating the young talents with exceptional abilities into the senior national teams.
The president called for collaboration between the National Sports Commission and philanthropists in supporting the revival of handball.
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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