Athletics
Future Olympian Athletics Classic Shifted to Late 2026 for Nationwide Expansion
The Future Olympian Athletics Classic has been rescheduled from the first quarter of 2026 to the last quarter of the year, as organisers move to transform the meet into a truly national developmental programme spanning Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
In a statement signed by Bruce Ijirigho, a former quarter-miler and Team Nigeria captain to the 1976 Summer Olympics, the postponement was described as a strategic decision aimed at broadening participation and ensuring that young talents across the country are discovered and nurtured systematically.
The competition is being organised by the Youth Sports Renaissance Foundation (YSRF), a non-profit organisation registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission by Ijirigho, Godwin Obasogie and Charlton Ehizuelen. The foundation’s primary objective is to revive athletics, particularly at the secondary school level, and rebuild Nigeria’s once-thriving grassroots sports culture.
Ijirigho, who serves as Project Lead, explained that the initiative is not about creating something entirely new but about restoring a proven system that once produced champions.
“This competition is not about reinventing the wheel,” he said. “It is about bringing back the culture that ensured that my contemporaries and I were discovered early in secondary school, received the right coaching and academic support, and went on to earn scholarships while combining sports with education. Many of us later became national, continental and global champions.”
He identified early exposure and modern, age-appropriate coaching as the missing links in youth development across Nigeria and much of Africa.
“The bane of sports in Nigeria and many African countries is that our youth don’t get opportunities early enough and lack modern coaching techniques that accelerate their development,” Ijirigho stated.
According to him, the Future Olympian Athletics Classic will go beyond competition by incorporating international coaching clinics designed to transfer contemporary skills and knowledge to Games masters and grassroots coaches nationwide.
“The Classic will not only discover talents in their early teens but also upgrade the capacity of our coaches. That way, we will nurture them properly to become Olympians and world beaters in their late teens and early twenties. This programme is strictly for high school students because it is developmental.”
The decision to expand the event to all six geopolitical zones, he noted, reflects a commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity.
“Talents abound in every nook and cranny of the country. There are middle- and long-distance runners, sprinters, quarter-milers, jumpers and hurdlers who were either not discovered at all or discovered too late. With this postponement, we can widen the tent and give every Nigerian child a fair chance.”
Ijirigho expressed confidence that with proper planning and sustained grassroots investment, Nigeria can reclaim its place at the summit of global athletics.
“We have what it takes to dominate athletics worldwide. All we need is to get our development programme right. The Future Olympian Athletics Classic will lay that foundation for our youth and for the country when it begins in the last quarter of 2026.”
With its expanded national scope and emphasis on structured youth development, the initiative signals a renewed push to reposition Nigerian athletics for long-term global success.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Kenya’s Ezra Kipchumba Kering delivered a commanding Valentine’s Day performance to win the 11th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon on Saturday.
Kipchumba surged to the finish line at Eko Atlantic City in an impressive time of 2:11:55, clinching the $50,000 winner’s prize in one of Africa’s most prestigious road races. His decisive kick in the closing stages sealed a memorable triumph in a fiercely contested men’s elite race.
Uganda completed a strong showing on the podium, with Lomoi Samuel finishing just four seconds behind the winner in 2:11:59, while compatriot Namutala Kephar Lumbasi secured third place in 2:12:25 to underline East Africa’s dominance in the men’s event.
The Gold Label marathon, organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited under the leadership of Managing Director Mrs Yetunde Olopade, once again lived up to its billing as a premier long-distance spectacle, attracting top-tier athletes from across the continent and beyond.
In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Dinke Meseret Meleka claimed top honours, crossing the line in 2:37:36 after a determined run. Kenya’s Daniel Flomena Cheyech followed closely in 2:37:43, while Ethiopia’s Getaw Wgagen Zewdalem finished third in 2:38:59 to complete a tightly fought podium finish.
With another thrilling chapter added to its history, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon reaffirmed its growing stature as a leading destination for elite runners and a major highlight on Africa’s athletics calendar.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
By Kunle Solaja.
The organisers of the gold-labelled Access Bank Lagos City Marathon have described Saturday’s 11th edition as an iconic milestone that ushers in a new decade for one of Africa’s most prestigious road races.
Speaking at a press conference held at the headquarters of Access Bank in Lagos, the Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Mrs Yetunde Olopade, said the 2026 edition represents growth, resilience and renewed ambition for the marathon.
“This 11th edition is symbolic for us. It is not just another race; it signals the beginning of another decade of excellence, impact and global recognition for the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon,” Olopade said.
She expressed appreciation to Access Bank, corporate sponsors and the Lagos State Government for their unwavering support and commitment to the annual event.
“We are deeply grateful to Access Bank, our valued sponsors and the Lagos State Government for their consistency and belief in this vision. Together, we have built one of the most revered road races in Africa, and this year’s event will be nothing short of world-class,” she added.
Olopade assured runners, partners and spectators of a top-quality race that would further consolidate the marathon’s international standing and enhance its global profile.
Also speaking at the event, the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, commended the organisers for their professionalism and dedication, noting that the marathon has continued to elevate Lagos’ image globally.
“The Lagos State Government remains fully committed to supporting the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon because it continues to put Lagos on the global map in a positive light,” Fatodu said.
“This race is more than a sporting event; it is a celebration of our culture, resilience and capacity to host world-class events. We will continue to provide the enabling environment for it to thrive.”
Adding his voice, Dr Nadeem Khan, President of the International Association of Ultra Runners, described the marathon’s evolution over the years as remarkable.
“The progression I have seen at the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is truly phenomenal. Year after year, the race keeps improving in standards, organisation and global appeal,” Khan said.
The 2026 edition is expected to attract elite athletes from across the world, further reinforcing the marathon’s reputation as one of Africa’s leading road races and a flagship sporting event for Nigeria.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
By Kunle Solaja.
The Africa Running Conference (WAARC) 2026 is entering its decisive phase in Lagos, with global athletics leaders intensifying discussions on how to reposition road running and mass participation across the continent.
Held under the theme “Reshaping Running and Mass Participation in Africa: Embracing the Global Community,” the conference has drawn administrators, business leaders, federation heads and international experts committed to redefining Africa’s running ecosystem.
The Director General of Nigeria’s National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, delivered the opening remarks, setting the tone for strategic collaboration between government, federations and private sector stakeholders. The President of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), Ahmed Kalkaba Malboum, addressed delegates, while Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics, sent in remarks via video message, underscoring the global importance of Africa’s growing road running movement.
Governor Babatunde Sanwo-Olu formally declared the conference open, reaffirming Lagos’ ambition to remain a continental hub for sports tourism and mass participation events.
Global Perspectives and Strategic Conversations
The conference featured a series of high-level presentations. Dr Nadeem Khan, President of the International Association of Ultrarunners, opened technical discussions with a presentation on “Road Running in Africa: A Global Perspective.” He was followed by Jackson Tuwei, Vice President of World Athletics and President of Kenya Athletics, who examined the “Growth and Development of Running in Africa.”
Business and commercial sustainability dominated the first panel discussion on “Sponsorship & Marketing: The Business Behind Road Running & Mass Participation in Africa.” The panel featured Fama Abdalla Awale, Adille J. Sumariwalla, Bukola Olopade and Ameachi Okobi of Access Corporation, moderated by Chris Robb of Mass Participation World.
Innocent Ike, Group Managing Director/CEO of Access Holding PLC, delivered a talk on creating sustainable public engagement through road running, while former marathon world record holder and IOC Member Paul Tergat spoke on changing mindsets and building active communities across Africa.
Bernard Bwalya, President of Zambia Athletics, addressed grassroots integration in his presentation titled “Federation Meets Community for Grassroots Development.”
Shaping the Future of African Running
A second panel session focused on transforming running culture and expanding participation, featuring Yetunde Olopade of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, John Peter of the Kigali International Peace Marathon, Tayo Popoola of the Lagos Women Run, and Elias Ng’andu Mpondela, moderated by Nadeem Khan.
Chris Robb later outlined a forward-looking strategy in his presentation on “Mass Participation Vision 2050,” while Kristian Midtgaard of Roster Athletics highlighted the growing role of digitalisation in race organisation and athlete engagement.
Tourism and economic impact also came under review, with Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, alongside Aku Aghazu, Vice President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, examining the effects of road running on tourism development.
The final panel on the “Future of Road Running in Africa” brought together Aku Aghazu, Alessio Punzi of World Athletics, TCHANILE-SALIFOU Falilatou of Togolese Athletics and Paul Tergat, again moderated by Nadeem Khan.
Chief Tonobok Okowa, President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, delivered the vote of thanks, while Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, formally declared the conference closed.
The conference proceedings are being streamed live by Style Digital Production, allowing stakeholders across the continent and beyond to follow deliberations expected to influence the next phase of road running development in Africa. The YouTube channel for the livestreaming is: https://youtube.com/@styledigitalproduction-hq7zg?si=dZZHW70eZGWHxTi2
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- World Cup1 week ago
NFF Protest Against DR Congo Appears Doomed as Super Eagles Line Up March Friendlies
- MLS22 hours ago
Trump to Host Lionel Messi and Inter Miami at the White House
- UEFA Champions League6 days ago
Heineken Ignites Champions League Fever in Nigeria with Fans Have More Friends Campaign
- Nigerian Football3 days ago
Remo Stars Appoint Usman Abd’Allah as Technical Adviser
- World Cup1 week ago
World Cup Debutants Jordan Line Up Super Eagles as Key Dress Rehearsal
- WAFCON1 day ago
Ahead of WAFCON 2026, CAF Celebrates Super Falcons’ Enduring Legacy from Trailblazers to Torchbearers
- World Cup5 days ago
Cartel violence fuels doubts about FIFA World Cup games in Mexico
- World Cup1 day ago
Mexico president says FIFA will review security and mobility ahead of World Cup