Sports Groove

Nigeria’s Odafe Benedict Efemuai emerged as one of the major stars of the FIDE World Amateur Blitz Chess Championship in Abuja, winning the Under 2300 Open category as India also recorded impressive successes across several divisions. The two-day Blitz Championship, held from August 6 to 7, brought the second phase of the FIDE World Amateur Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships to a close.  The competition was jointly organised by FIDE and the Nigeria Chess Federation, with players from Nigeria, India and Cameroon battling over 11 Swiss-system rounds under a fast-paced 3+2 time control. Efemuai produced a strong performance, accumulating eight points to finish third in the overall standings.  Despite finishing behind India’s AIM Shejal Sahil Sanjay, who topped the table with nine points, and CM Pankaj Sharma, who was runner-up with 8½ points, Efemuai secured the Under 2300 Open gold medal under the championship’s category-based prize regulations. Nigeria’s impressi...

By Maxwell Kumoye        Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu has pledged stronger institutional support for sports development in the Nigeria Police Force after receiving Commonwealth Games 400m hurdles champion, Corporal Ezekiel Nathaniel, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. Nathaniel’s visit provided an opportunity for the police authorities to celebrate one of their own, with Disu describing the athlete’s success as a shining example of what can be achieved when sporting talent is properly identified and supported. The IGP said Nathaniel’s accomplishment had brought pride not only to the officer but also to the Police Force and Nigeria, stressing that sports and policing share important values such as discipline, teamwork and excellence. Disu, who disclosed that he is also a sportsman, said Nathaniel’s victory reinforced the need for the Force to continue providing opportunities for talented personnel to excel in competitive sports. He assur...

  By Maxwell Kumoye     After Friday's controversial disqualification of Miracles Ezechukwu, Team Nigeria produced another impressive performance at the ongoing 2026 World U-20 Athletics Championships in Oregon, securing qualification for the final of the women’s 4x400 metres relay. The Nigerian quartet of Becky Ebiayadi, Jecinta Lawrence, Tejiri Praise Ugoh and Faith Ezechukwu clocked 3:35.28 to finish third in their heat and book their place in the medal-deciding final. Nigeria’s performance was also a season’s best (SB), underlining the quartet’s strong showing on the championship stage. Italy won the heat in a new World U-20 Record of 3:33.63, while Great Britain finished second in 3:33.82, with both nations also progressing automatically to the final. The Nigerian team finished ahead of South Africa and the other teams in the heat to claim the third and final automatic qualification spot.  Under the championship qualification format, the first three ...

By Maxwell Kumoye  Nigeria will witness a new sporting spectacle on September 10 when wheelchair American football makes its first appearance in the country at an exhibition in Lagos. The historic event, being organised by American Football for Elite Development (AFEDEV), is expected to bring together athletes, sports administrators, disability advocates and other stakeholders for a demonstration of the adapted version of American football. The exhibition will take place at the Outdoor Basketball Arena of the National Institute for Sports, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, from 10 a.m. Organisers see the event as more than an introduction to a new sporting discipline. It is designed to draw attention to the need for greater inclusion of persons with disabilities in Nigeria’s sporting programmes and create fresh pathways for participation. AFEDEV Media Director, Joseph Orie, said the exhibition would allow stakeholders to experience wheelchair American football and asse...

...Draws comparison to Vivian Chukwuemeka’s era By Maxwell Kumoye    Former Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Technical Director, Retired Commodore Omasteye Nesiama, has hailed Nigeria's Jessica Oji following her historic triumph at the World U-20 Athletics Championships in Oregon, USA, where she claimed the women's shot put gold medal with a championship-winning throw of 18.08 metres. Oji's latest achievement comes on the heels of her silver medal-winning performance at the last Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, underlining her rapid rise as one of Nigeria's brightest prospects in the throwing events. Reacting to the youngster's success, Nesiama, a respected athletics administrator and former military intelligence officer, described Oji's emergence as a major milestone for Nigerian athletics. According to him, Oji's accomplishments represent the level of success he had always hoped to see from Nigeria in the women's shot put at th...

...Draws comparison to Vivian Chukwuemeka’s era By Maxwell Kumoye    Former Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Technical Director, Retired Commodore Omasteye Nesiama, has hailed Nigeria's Jessica Oji following her historic triumph at the World U-20 Athletics Championships in Oregon, USA, where she claimed the women's shot put gold medal with a championship-winning throw of 18.08 metres. Oji's latest achievement comes on the heels of her silver medal-winning performance at the last Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, underlining her rapid rise as one of Nigeria's brightest prospects in the throwing events. Reacting to the youngster's success, Nesiama, a respected athletics administrator and former military intelligence officer, described Oji's emergence as a major milestone for Nigerian athletics. According to him, Oji's accomplishments represent the level of success he had always hoped to see from Nigeria in the women's shot put at th...

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye    The Head Coach of Team Nigeria to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Solomon Aliyu, has insisted that gold medals alone should not be used as the yardstick for assessing the team's performance at the Games. Aliyu made the remarks in an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG's Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye. Despite Team Nigeria returning with fewer medals than in previous editions, the coach praised the athletes for their performances, stressing that competing at a world-class event and achieving personal improvements were equally significant measures of success. "For me as a coach, it is not necessarily about the medal. What matters is the stage on which the athletes competed and the results they produced. "What would you say about an athlete who produced an impressive performance but did not win a medal? Would you say that athlete is not good enough to compete? No. "Sometimes, you simply have bet...

  By Maxwell Kumoye        Team Nigeria's Jessica Oji delivered an impressive performance to book her place in the women's shot put final at the ongoing 2026 World Athletics U-20 Championships in Oregon, USA. Oji showcased her class in the qualification round with a best throw of 17.56 metres, comfortably surpassing the automatic qualifying mark to finish first overall in the standings. The Nigerian teenager led a strong field ahead of Ecuador's Belsy Jenniffer Quiñónez, who secured second place with a throw of 17.25m, while Maria Rafailidou completed the top three qualifiers. Oji's commanding display further underlined her growing reputation as one of the brightest young talents in global athletics.  Having switched allegiance to Nigeria earlier this year, the talented shot putter has continued to make headlines with a series of outstanding performances on the international stage. Her qualification gives Team Nigeria another genuine medal prosp...

By Maxwell Kumoye    Head of Sports of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Samuel Onikeku, has thrown his weight behind the appointment of Ryan Masajedi as Technical Adviser of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), describing the experienced coach as the right man to take the sport to greater heights. Onikeku a former Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) made the remarks after watching Masajedi oversee his first training session with the senior women's national volleyball team in Abuja, where preparations are underway for the 2026 African Nations Women's Volleyball Championship in Kenya. According to him, Masajedi's impressive coaching pedigree and international exposure provide Nigeria with a unique opportunity to accelerate the development of volleyball and compete consistently with the continent's best. "We are pleased to have Coach Ryan Masajedi with us," Onikeku said. "His experience speaks for itself, and we...

By Maxwell Kumoye Nigeria's teenage chess prodigy, Ekunke Odey Goodness, has etched his name into the history books after becoming the first-ever champion of the FIDE World Amateur Rapid Chess Championship, winning the inaugural title in Abuja. The 14-year-old produced a stunning display throughout the 11-round competition, amassing nine points from a possible 11 to finish ahead of a strong field at the championship jointly organised by FIDE and the Nigeria Chess Federation. Ekunke sealed the historic triumph after holding fellow Nigerian FM Eugene Ekpoikong Unwana to a draw in the decisive final-round clash. The result ensured the teenager finished on nine points, while Unwana claimed the silver medal with 8½ points. FM Bomo Lovet Kigigha also finished on 8½ points but settled for bronze on tie-break. The tournament, played with a rapid time control of 15 minutes plus a 10-second increment, witnessed an intense battle among Nigeria's leading players, with the inaug...

...As scrabble amazon, Afolayan pays emotional tribute to outgoing chairman Adegbesan By Maxwell Kumoye      As the Ogun State Scrabble Association (OSSA) prepares for a change in leadership, head coach Bukumi Afolayan has raised the question on the minds of many stakeholders, who will be able to sustain the remarkable standards set by outgoing chairman, Mr. Adekoyejo Adegbesan? In an emotional tribute to the departing chairman, Afolayan reflected on the transformation of the association since its inauguration on August 24, 2022, describing Adegbesan's tenure as one that revolutionised Scrabble in Ogun State. "The question ringing in my mind is, 'How do we sustain the standard this outgoing Association has brought here?'" Afolayan asked. She recalled how the process began in 2022 when she approached MGI boss, Mr. Lukeman Owolabi, to serve as chairman of the association.  However, Owolabi, who is now the President of World English Players Association (W...

...Lauds President Tinubu for his unwavering support By Maxwell Kumoye     The 2nd Vice President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Akuchukwu Aghazu, has praised Team Nigeria for its impressive outing at the just concluded 23rd Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, describing the athletes' performances as a reflection of their dedication, discipline and quality preparation. Aghazu commended the commitment displayed by Team Nigeria from the build-up to the Games through to the end of the competition, noting that the athletes remained focused on achieving success for the country. "From the preparations to the end of the Games, our athletes demonstrated total commitment and dedication. Their work ethic was exceptional, and the relationship between the athletes and officials was excellent throughout the competition. That unity contributed greatly to our success." She reserved special praise for the Director General of the National Sports Commission,...

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye        Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports, Daniel Igali, has attributed the remarkable progress recorded in the state's sports sector to the visionary leadership and unwavering commitment of Governor Senator Douye Diri, insisting that the transformation witnessed in recent years is the result of collective leadership rather than the efforts of one individual. Speaking during an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG's Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye on Monday, the former World and Olympic wrestling champion said every milestone achieved under his watch as Commissioner was made possible because Governor Diri deliberately placed sports at the centre of his administration's development agenda. "Whatever progress we have recorded in Bayelsa sports belongs first to His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri. I say that not out of courtesy, but because it is the truth," Igali declared. According to him, governan...

...NVBF targets new era for Nigerian volleyball   By Maxwell Kumoye and Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye    The President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Engineer Musa Nimrod, has officially unveiled Japanese volleyball coach Ryan Masajedi as the new international coach for Nigeria, describing his appointment as a major step in the federation's long-term development programme. Speaking during the unveiling ceremony in Abuja on Wednesday, Nimrod disclosed that Masajedi's engagement was facilitated through the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Development Commission following extensive discussions between the global governing body and the NVBF. According to the NVBF president, the Japanese tactician will spend 12 months in Nigeria, a significant departure from the conventional three-month coaching support usually provided by the FIVB. "Normally, FIVB provides international coaches for only three months to prepare teams for major competitio...

By Maxwell Kumoye    The race for honours at the 2026 FIDE World Amateur Rapid & Blitz Chess Championship has intensified as the Rapid event reached its halfway mark in Abuja, with leading contenders beginning to separate themselves after six of the scheduled 11 rounds. The prestigious championship, holding at the Bolton White Event Hall, has attracted amateur players from different parts of the world, all battling for the coveted FIDE World Amateur Rapid and Blitz titles. The tournament opened with a Technical Meeting where players and officials agreed to retain the full competition schedule despite the relatively small field.  Competitors are therefore set to contest 11 rounds each in the Rapid and Blitz events over five days, ensuring every scheduled game is played. Tournament officials also clarified that female participants remain eligible to win two prize categories, providing an added incentive for the women competing. The opening ceremony featured ...

By Maxwell Kumoye    The Ogun State Sports Council has dissolved the executives of all sports associations in the state, bringing an end to the administration of several associations, including the highly successful Ogun State Scrabble Association led by Adekoyejo Adegbesan. The dissolution, which takes effect from July 31, 2026, was announced in a circular signed by the Acting Director of Sports, Oluseyi Sonde.  The directive stated that all existing sports associations in the state stand dissolved, with the exception of the Basketball and Football Associations, whose executives will remain in office pending the conclusion of their respective national federation elections. The Sports Council commended the outgoing executives for their commitment, sacrifices and contributions to the growth of sports in Ogun State, noting that their achievements would remain an enduring part of the state's sporting history. Among the associations leaving office on a remarkable ...

By Maxwell Kumoye     The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reinforced the leadership of its men's volleyball team by appointing national team star Abdulquadri Jaiyeola as alternate captain ahead of the decisive second phase of the 2026 Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Volleyball Premier League. The move reflects the club's confidence in the experienced playmaker, whose recent exploits with Nigeria's senior men's national team have earned widespread recognition after leading the side to qualification for the African Nations Championship qualifiers in Abidjan. Announcing the appointment on Monday, Head of Sports at the Nigeria Customs Service, Samuel Onikeku, said Jaiyeola's leadership qualities, commitment and experience made him an ideal choice to strengthen the team's captaincy group. According to Onikeku, the former African Men's Club Championship campaigner has consistently shown maturity and responsibility both with the national team and...

By Maxwell Kumoye      The Bayelsa State Governor, His Excellency Senator Douye Diri, has reaffirmed his administration's commitment to the development of Scrabble in Nigeria, announcing plans to introduce the mind sport into secondary schools across the state following the successful conclusion of the 6th Governor Douye Diri National Scrabble Classic in Yenagoa. Speaking at the closing ceremony held at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall on Sunday night, Governor Diri praised the Nigeria Scrabble Federation and the Bayelsa State Scrabble Association for sustaining the annual championship, which he described as the country's biggest platform for the strategic board game. The governor, who participated in an exhibition match against Nigeria Scrabble Federation President, Engineer Bright Idahosa, said the experience revived cherished memories of his younger days when Scrabble played a vital role in improving vocabulary and sharpening analytical thinking...

By Maxwell Kumoye      Team Nigeria ended the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as Africa's highest-ranked nation, finishing an impressive seventh on the final medals table with ten gold, seven silver and seven bronze medals for a total of 24 medals. Although Nigeria maintained its status as the continent's leading sporting nation at the Games, the team's overall haul fell short of its performance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where it claimed 35 medals.  The Glasgow return of 24 medals represents 11 fewer medals, while the country's 10 gold medals were also two less than the 12 golds won four years ago. Australia dominated the Games with a commanding 70 gold medals, ahead of England and Canada, while Nigeria finished above traditional sporting nations such as Jamaica, Wales, Malaysia and South Africa. The final medals table also highlighted Africa's growing presence on the Commonwealth sporting stage, with 13 African countries winning a...

By Maxwell Kumoye      As part of its drive to strengthen the technical foundation of volleyball in the country, the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) has selected 12 coaches to participate in the prestigious FIVB Level I Coaching Certification Course in Accra, Ghana. The six-day programme, scheduled to run from August 3 to 8, will bring together aspiring volleyball coaches from across the continent, with Nigeria sending a delegation made up of national team players, former internationals and league coaches. In a significant move aimed at promoting gender inclusion, seven of the 12 selected participants are women, while five are men. The Federation described the initiative as a deliberate effort to increase the number of qualified female volleyball coaches in Nigeria and build a stronger technical workforce for the sport. According to the NVBF, the certification programme is a strategic investment designed to bridge the shortage of qualified female coaches,...