By David Owei,Bayelsa

The Commissioner for Sports Development, Bayelsa State, Honourable Daniel Igali, has been unveiled as one of Nigeria’s ambassadors for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

The Olympic and world champion alongside Bayelsa’s finest Blessing Oborodudu, as well as other stakeholders like, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Mallam Saleh Ahmadu, Dr Amos Adamu, Chief Patrick Ekeji, Alhassan Yakmut, and Gbenga Elegbeleye highlighted a blend of technical expertise and athlete representation in a deliberate effort to foster inclusivity, credibility, and performance-driven preparation.

The initiative remains a powerful tool for national unity, youth engagement, and international visibility.

Also, the importance of coordinated stakeholder involvement in ensuring that Team Nigeria is adequately prepared to compete at the highest level.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games, scheduled to be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from 23 July to 2 August 2026,

By David Owei,Bayelsa
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‎The National Youths Service Corps, NYSC FC produced one of the greatest comebacks in the 2026 edition of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament tagged the Prosperity Cup.
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‎NYSC FC came from two goals down to beat United Stars 4-2 on penalties after a two-all draw in regulation time to advance into the round of 32 in an encounter decided at the Golf Course, Onopa, Yenagoa.
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‎Ifeanyi Johnson put United Stars ahead three minutes into the game from a beautiful finish. Genesis Ebi doubled the lead for United Stars on 16 minutes to rekindle their hopes of winning the tournament.
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‎Ugoh Victor on 83 minutes reduced the deficit for the NYSC side to give the NYSC team a lifeline, having taken charge of the game but when it looks like United Stars were coasting home with victory, Joshua Xaga scored on 86 minutes to drag the game into the anxiety of penalty shootout.
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‎Hummels Stars FC of Otuokpoti pipped Donbai United by a lone goal thanks to Richman Barnabas’ 63 minutes strike to secure a place in the round of 32, having lost to Izuo Gillette in the last match of the Swali centre.
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‎Mighty-Mighty FC in the third match of the runner up play-offs defeated Etivie FC 7-6 on penalties after a goalless draw in regulation time while Citiboi Feeders in the last match of the day edged out Rich Destiny FC two nil to move into the round of 32 of the spectacle.
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‎In the Yenagoa LGA quarter finals tie, Akinima/Biogbo hammered Global City by four goals to one. Afini FC beat Sea Side FA 4-3 on penalties after a barren draw in regulation time while Brazil FC beat high-scoring MFM FC 4-3 on penalties, having played out a one all draw in normal time at the Golf Course, Onopa.
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‎Elsewhere, Bina FC at the Odi centre in Kolokuma/Opukuma LGA beat Oko/Safa FC 7-6 on penalties after a one-all draw at normal time while Mezeh City in the last fixture at the Odi centre triumphed 5-4 on penalties over Adaka FC after a two all-draw in regulation time to secure a place in the next round of the competition.
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‎Odi United at the Sabagreia centre beat Amatugu FC by three goals to two to progress to the next round of the competition. Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG Bayelsa FC in the last fixture, pummeled Orukarebai FC by four goals to one to keep their hopes of winning the tournament alive.
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‎Action will resume on Saturday, 4th April, 2026 in Kolokuma/Opokuma as De Rhema United battle Premium FC at 12.00 Noon. Mountain of the Lord’s Deliverance Ministry, MLDM FC will take on Sir Temple FC at 3.00pm at the Odi centre.
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‎Opu-Okun United at the Sabagreia centre will welcome Premium FC at 12.00pm while King Warriors FA will face Creek FC at 3.00pm as the battle for the N30,000,000 prize money gets tougher.
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‎Bayelsa United Feeders will confront Afini FC on Sunday, 5th April, 2026 at 12.00 noon as Akimima/Biogbo battle Brazil FC at 3.00pm at the Golf Course, Onopa, Yenagoa.

By David Owei,Bayelsa

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State says the current administration will continue to invest in sports development to give youths the opportunity to actualize their potential.

The Governor stated this at a ceremony at the Peace Park, opposite Government House, shortly after the first Yenagoa City International 10-kilometre race.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, he underscored the immense benefits of sports and fitness which according to him helps citizens to be healthy, aiding them to be free from illnesses and diseases.

While congratulating the organizers, the State Ministry of Sports and participants, he noted that the Yenagoa City International 10km Race, 2026 has projected Bayelsa to the world while providing good image for the State.

The Bayelsa Governor maintained that his administration would continue to accord priority to Sports as it mobilizes individuals in mass participation and provides career path for sports men and women for global reckoning.

He advised the athletes to be committed to continuous training to become great sportsmen and Olympians like the state Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Daniel Igali.

His words: “As a State, we will continue to support Sports especially in events like this that attracts thousands of participants. We have all seen the glamour and the joy from this marathon.

“This Yenagoa City International 10km Race is historic. This is the first of its kind in Bayelsa State. When I was in Sports, we used to have the Olympic Day Run. And annually, we looked up to it.

“This is the time where everybody is part of the sporting industry to mobilize people for massive participation.

“We cannot over emphasize the importance of sports for fitness, even as a career. Several of our people have benefitted from this. One example is our own Commissioner for Sports, Daniel Igali. That is part of the dividends of participating in sports.

“Today, we are gathered here and Bayelsa is being advertised positively to the world. We have participation of this magnitude brought to the State and Yenagoa City. So, we want to congratulate the organisers, those who mooted this idea, the Sports Ministry and the athletes. So, I appreciate you all.

“We believe this has come to stay in Bayelsa, and we will do better next time. To our athletes, I want you to continue training because training does not end on the day you want to compete.”

In the race proper, Ethiopia’s Habtamu Birhane Molla got the first prize of $5,000 in the Men’s category breasting the tape within 29 minutes 23 seconds.

Two Nigerians were second and third as 17 year old Gang James, a native of Plateau State, who just finished from Victory Academy High School, Jos, clocked 29 minutes 59 seconds to smile home with $3,000 with Francis James following with 30 minutes 16 secs to cart home $2,000. Nigerians also finished 4th and 5th.

In the women’s category, it was a clean sweep for Ethiopian athletes, namely, Shewaye Tolosa, Tigist Girma Arseta and Worke Gacasho Jilo, who carted the first, second and third prizes.

The first Nigerian was Daylop Patience who was 4th in 35.07.66 secs just as her country woman, Vivian Nenyitwe Obadiaha was 5th in 35.07.66 secs.

Dignitaries that graced the event included top officials from the Bayelsa State Government, including the Chairman, House Committee on Sports, State House of Assembly, Hon. Tare Porri, the Managing Director of the consulting outfit, Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Mrs. Yetunde Olopade, a representative of the World Athletics and President of International Association of Ultra-runners, Nadeem Khan, Olympian and former Nigerian Long Jump record holder, Yusuf Alli, amongst others.