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13 Days to Go! Presidency Ignites Nationwide Countdown to 2026 International Day of Sport for Development and Peace

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6 days ago

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The countdown has officially begun as the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development intensifies preparations for the 2026 International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, with just 13 days to go until the landmark celebration.

Scheduled for Monday, April 6, 2026, the event is already generating excitement across Nigeria’s sports community, as stakeholders, young athletes, and enthusiasts gear up for a day dedicated to unity, inclusion, and the transformative power of sports.

Read Also: NFF Finally Bows To Pressure! ‘Time To Fix The System’ — Gusau Admits Statutes Fail As Major Reforms And Election Date Confirmed

Leading the charge, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Hon. Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye, described the countdown as more than just a build-up to an event, but a movement aimed at reigniting the spirit of togetherness and national development through sports.

“This countdown is not just about marking days; it is about building momentum for a cause that unites us all. Sports remain one of the strongest tools we have to inspire hope, engage our youths, and promote peace across communities.”

As anticipation builds, Adeboye reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to leveraging sports as a vehicle for social impact, particularly at the grassroots level where talents are discovered and futures are shaped.

“We are using this moment to remind Nigerians that sports go beyond competition. It is about opportunity, inclusion, and creating platforms where young people can thrive and contribute meaningfully to society.”

The celebration will feature two major activities, beginning with the Presidential Fitness and Unity Walk, which will take participants from Unity Fountain to Eagles Square in Abuja, bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds in a show of national unity.

This will be followed by a Community Sports and IDP Camp Outreach at the Apo IDP Camp, where displaced youths will engage in sports activities and receive support materials aimed at inspiring hope and encouraging participation.

Adeboye emphasized that the outreach component remains a critical part of the celebration, reflecting a broader vision of ensuring that no community is left behind.

“As we count down, we are also calling attention to the importance of inclusion.

Every young Nigerian, regardless of circumstance, deserves the opportunity to dream, to grow, and to succeed—and sports can help make that possible.”

With support from the National Sports Commission, led by Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director-General Hon. Bukola Olopade, the initiative continues to gather momentum as a national call to action.

As the days tick closer, Adeboye urged Nigerians to be part of the movement and embrace the spirit behind the global celebration.

“I encourage all Nigerians, especially our youths, to be part of this journey. Let us come together, not just to celebrate, but to build a stronger, more united nation through the power of sports.”

With excitement building nationwide, the countdown signals not just the approach of an event, but the rise of a renewed commitment to unity, youth empowerment, and national development through sports.

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Bayelsa State Tops Greco-Roman Table At 4th Douye Diri Wrestling Championship

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2 hours ago

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March 30, 2026

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Bayelsa State showed the true value of home advantage, as they set an early surge to the top of the medals table in the Greco-Roman category of the ongoing 4th Governor Douye Diri Wrestling Classics in their capital, Yenegoa.

READ ALSO: Israel Adesanya Insists He’ll Keeping His UFC Career Going, Despite Fourth Straight Defeat

Sports247 reports that Bayelsa State topped the table in the event with an impressive haul of four gold, one silver and three bronze medals, while Delta State placed second with two gold and one bronze, motivated by Augustine Okuro.

Delta State’s efforts were boosted by the surge of Okuro, who retained his title from the last edition of the championship, alongside Pakistan Alfred of National Security & Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the Greco-Roman class on Saturday.

Pakistan had a dominant outing in the 67kg division, defeating all his opponents in a round-robin format to grab gold, while Harrison Onovwiomogbohwo of Bayelsa State won his first Greco-Roman gold medal in the 97kg category.

In the super heavyweight (130kg) category, Okuro also overcame all challengers to retain his title, while Akene Ebi of Bayelsa State finished with silver, with Hamza Shuaibu (Nigeria Army) and Ipanbu Somina (Sim Fubara) clbronze medals.

Long-Life Okokoro of Dynamite Club won silver in the 97kg category, as David Obodo (Imo State) and Victor Ebikebina (Bayelsa State) secured bronze medals; while Elebiju Omoniyi (Defence) and Martin Aziba (John Cashing Club) got bronze in freestyle.

DAY 4 MEDALLISTS IN YENAGOA

Greco-Roman Wrestling – 55kg:

Gold- Ogidi Peredeiaha (Bayelsa State)

Silver- Salisu Abdulahi (Nasarawa)

Bronze- Bassey Pius (Cross Rivers)

Bronze- Oruakain Kelvin (Borno State)

Greco-Roman Wrestling – 60kg:

Gold- Dick Enibode (Edo State)

Silver- Owuogbene Ladergun (Defence)

Bronze- Stephen Olowo (Nigeria Army)

Bronze- ThankGod Destiny (Bayelsa)

Greco-Roman Wrestling – 63kg:

Gold- Terry Godfred (Bayelsa State)

Silver- Fayowole Olubode (Lagos State)

Bronze- Daniel Emos (Plateau Club)

Bronze- Ade Taofiq (Plateau State)

Greco-Roman Wrestling – 67kg:

Gold- Pakistan Alfred (NSCDC)

Silver- Long-Life Okokoro (Dynamite Club)

Bronze- David Obodo (Imo State)

Bronze- Victor Ebikebina (Bayelsa State)

Greco-Roman Wrestling – 72kg:

Gold- Matthew Godstime (Bayelsa State)

Silver- Femi Adebayo (Nigeria Army)

Bronze- Julius Adekunle (Defence)

Bronze- Promise Robinson (Delta State)

Greco-Roman Wrestling – 77kg:

Gold- Oke Ituru (Delta State)

Silver- Richard Alex (Nigeria Army)

Bronze- Perefaohe Kiriben (Bayelsa State)

Bronze- Nelson Samru (Borno State)

Greco-Roman Wrestling – 97kg:

Gold- Harrison Onovwiomogbohwo (Bayelsa State)

Silver- Tobechukwu Udeh (Nigeria Army)

Bronze- Elebiju Omoniyi (Defence)

Bronze- Martin Aziba (John Cashing Club)

Greco-Roman Wrestling – 130kg:

Gold- Augustine Okuro (Delta State)

Silver- Akene Ebi (Bayelsa State)

Bronze- Hamza Shuaibu (Nigeria Army)

Bronze- Ipanbu Somina (Sim Fubara).

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Iran Miss Another Key Player For Friday’s International Friendly Versus Super Eagles

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3 days ago

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March 27, 2026

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Iran have been dealt another huge blow ahead of Friday’s international friendly against Nigeria, as Team Melli will be without one of their key midfielders, Saeid Ezatolahi Afagh, who plays for Shabab Al Ahli in UAE Pro League.

Sports247 gathered that the defensive midfielder, who came up through Malavan’s youth academy and impressed from an early age, making his first team debut in 2012, has been ruled out of Friday’s game in Antalya, Turkey due to injury.

Read Also: Pan-Atlantic University Alumni Finalise Plans For 2026 Sports Festival

It means the Eagles will not have to contend with a talented battler, who emerged as Iran Pro League’s youngest ever player at the age of 16, following which he also went home with the Iranian federation’s young player of the year award.

He became the youngest goal scorer in the history of the Iran national team at the age of 19 years and 42 days, after scoring in a 3-1 victory against Turkmenistan on November 12th, 2015 and previously played for Atlético Madrid C of Spain.

He has also featured for Rostov, Anzhi Makhachkala and Amkar Perm of Russia as well as Reading of England, but will not be there when Team Melli face Nigeria on Friday and then confront Costa Rica four days later at the same venue.

His absence revives memories of how he missed Iran’s first match of the 2018 World Cup against Morocco because of a red card in qualification, but he later played against Spain and Portugal.

A year later, he was ruled out of Iran’s squad for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup because of injury, which has seemingly recurred once again, as the Shabab Al Ahli midfield ace will not be there against Nigeria, after hurting a foot against Al Ain.

The upcoming matches against Nigeria and Costa Rica are part of Iran’s preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, for which they have been drawn in Group G along with Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt.

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Pan-Atlantic University Alumni Finalise Plans For 2026 Sports Festival

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3 days ago

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March 27, 2026

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Graduates of Pan-Atlantic University, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos have finalized plans for their much-talked about and highly-expected sports festival scheduled to hold this Saturday at the institution’s premises, Sports247 gathered.

The event, tagged Pan-Atlantic University Alumni Association (PAUAA) Sports Festival 2026, will feature healthy competitions in male and female football as well as male and female basketball.

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Apart from putting everything in place seamlessly at the venue, the organisers have also taken steps to ensure as many participants, guests and fans turn up as possible, hence their decision to arrange buses for transport.

A statement from the PAUAA 2026 organising committee revealed in part, “Bus transportation will be provided for alumni to facilitate convenient travel to and from the event venue. Bus departure time is 7:30am.

“To ensure ease of participation, we have arranged two designated pick-up points for alumni: Mainland Pick-up Point (Front of UNILAG at MRS Filling Station) – for alumni residing around the Mainland axis.

“Island Pick-up Point (Muri Okunola Park, Law School) – for alumni within Lagos Island, Victoria Island, and Lekki axis. The buses will convey participants to the university campus for the sports festival and return them after the event.

“We look forward to hosting you at what promises to be an exciting and engaging day of sports, networking, and community.”

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