Sports
Team Lagos Hopes To Dominate Athletics
Team Lagos’ athletes have restated their resolve to go all out to win
the bulk of the events at the forthcoming 18th National Sports Festival (NFS).
They told newsmen in separate interviews that their
confidence stemmed from the series of quality training programmes they have
been exposed to.
Oghene Eferobor, a bronze medalist at the 2011 Port
Harcourt NSF, said that she was prepared to win the gold medal this time
around.
“I won a bronze medal in hurdles at the last edition of
the NSF in Port Harcourt, and now I intend to improve on my performance by
going for gold.
“I am confident of attaining this feat, because my pace
and bound have improved, judging from my performance in recent competitions.
“I participated in the All African Games, the West
African University Games and the Lagos Tertiary Games; and I won medals in all
of them. So I am prepared for gold,” she said.
Matthew Egbeogu said that he was looking forward to
setting a new record in the discus event at the NSF; stating that his throw had
greatly improved from his previous ones.
“Although I was a bronze medalist at the Port Harcourt
NSF, but my exposure there revealed the areas I needed to improve upon.
“I won’t tell you how I have worked on my weaknesses,
but would just urge you to keep your fingers crossed at the festival; because a
new record might emerge,” he said.
The Lagos State Athletics Coach, Michael Obisesan, said that they had left-no-stone-unturned in
terms of training drills during their preparation for the festival.
Obisesan assured that the bulk
of the medals would be won by Team Lagos, considering the level of hard work
they had put into preparation for it.
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.