Sports Groove

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye       Head Coach of Team Nigeria Athletics, Solomon Aliyu, says the impressive performances witnessed at the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Commonwealth Games Trials are only a preview of what Nigerians should expect from the country's athletes at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Aliyu a former police officer made the remarks in an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG, expressing confidence that Team Nigeria will raise its performance when the Games begin. The veteran coach described the trials as a successful first phase in the team's preparations, insisting that the athletes are capable of delivering even more on the international stage. "What we saw at the AFN Commonwealth Games Trials is just the beginning," Aliyu said. "At the Commonwealth Games, Nigerians should expect even better performances from our athletes. This is only the first phase, so watch out for what's to come." Aliyu also rese...

By Maxwell Kumoye      The first phase of the third edition of the CGC Volleyball Premier League comes to a close on Saturday in Abuja after an action-packed Day 12 produced a series of commanding victories and a handful of thrilling encounters across the men's and women's competitions. Several title contenders maintained their impressive form heading into the final day, with dominant straight-set victories highlighting the quality on display throughout the championship. In the women's category, NSCDC continued their fine run with a comfortable 3-0 (25-15, 25-11, 25-14) victory over Benue Queens, while CNS Spikers brushed aside Lifecamp VC in equally convincing fashion, winning 25-14, 25-18, 25-12. NAF Rockets also secured maximum points after defeating Anambra Queens 3-0, although they were made to work in the opening set before sealing the contest 25-23, 25-17, 25-17. COAS Spikers produced one of the day's most dominant performances, overwhelming Olalomi R...

...It's a valuable platform for identifying athletes – NSC DG Olopade  By Maxwell Kumoye     The inaugural RIYE Under-15 Athletics Championship lived up to its promise of discovering the next generation of sporting talents, with a host of young athletes delivering outstanding performances at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Kuto, Abeokuta, South West, Nigeria. Among the standout performers were 14-year-old Olufunmilayo Kuku of Muslim Girls High School, Ijebu-Ode, and 13-year-old Sodiq Olaniyi of Luba Comprehensive High School, Ijebu-Ode, who dominated the track events to emerge as the stars of the one-day championship. Kuku was the undisputed princess of the girls' competition, producing a remarkable triple-gold performance by winning the 100 metres, 200 metres and the 100 metres relay.  She also recorded a new personal best in the sprint finals, further establishing herself as one of Nigeria and Ogun State's most promising young athletes. Her exceptional e...

COMMONWEALTH GAMES  By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye      Olympian Mary Onyali has applauded the successful conduct of the just-concluded Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Commonwealth Games Trials in Lagos, attributing the smooth organisation of the championship to early preparation and strong collaboration among key sports bodies. Onyali, one of Nigeria’s most celebrated track and field icons, said the partnership between the National Sports Commission (NSC), the AFN and the Elite Podium Board was central to the success of the trials, which brought together some of the country’s finest athletes in the race for places at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. “From top to bottom, early preparation plus coordinated and cordial relationship between these three entities — the NSC, AFN and the Elite Podium Board, made the difference,” Onyali said. The former Nigerian sprint queen also praised the welfare arrangements put in place for athletes w...

By Maxwell Kumoye  Favour Oghene Tejiri Ashe delivered a statement performance at the Commonwealth Games Trials, storming to victory in the men's 100 metres with a personal best and world-class time of 9.93 seconds. The Delta State sprinter produced an explosive run from the blocks and maintained his dominance through the finish line to become the only athlete in the field to break the 10-second barrier. The impressive mark underlined his credentials as one of Nigeria's leading sprint prospects ahead of major international competitions. Fakorede Nicholas Adekalu of Mississippi State University also dipped under his previous best, clocking 9.98 seconds to finish second and register a personal best performance. Chidera Ezeakor of Team Customs continued his remarkable rise in the sprint ranks, placing third in another personal best time of 10.03 seconds. Teenage sensation Tejiri Godwin, representing Bayelsa State, showed immense promise by finishing fourth in a persona...

...Enekwechi extends dominance with fifth shot put crown By Maxwell Kumoye and Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye at Yaba Tech Sports Complex, Lagos      Nigeria's sprint scene took centre stage on Monday at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex, Lagos, as US-based Blessing Ogundiran raced to victory in the women's 100m final at the Commonwealth Games Trials. Ogundiran produced a commanding performance to stop the clock at 11.12 seconds against a headwind of -0.5m/s, securing the national title ahead of a strong field. The race, however, also delivered a major milestone for home-based athletics as Miracle Ezechukwu clocked a personal best of 11.15 seconds to finish second and attain the qualifying benchmark for the Ben Aghazu Excellence in Athletics Prize. Fellow US-based sprinter Olayinka Olajide placed third in 11.28 seconds to complete a highly competitive podium finish. Speaking after her victory, Ogundiran revealed that patience and adherence to ra...

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye      Yaba came alive on Sunday as the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Commonwealth Games Trials got underway at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex. Away from the competition arena, Nigeria's shot put star, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, fondly known as Mr. Consistent, offered a rare insight into the realities of life as an elite athlete. Speaking with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG's Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye, Enekwechi highlighted the sacrifices, pain and discipli mmne that athletes endure in pursuit of excellence, often without the public fully appreciating what happens behind the scenes. According to the multiple-time African champion, athletes are not machines but human beings constantly dealing with physical strain, mental pressure and hidden injuries while striving to represent their countries with pride. "People see the competition day, the results and the celebration, but they do not always see what athle...

Current holders Argentina has knocked France off top spot as the No. 1 digital brand among World Cup teams, according to the latest Sports Social Pulse rankings from the University of South Carolina’s Social Media Insights Lab and Sports Business Journal. At a World Cup, the football is only half the contest. The other half plays out on phones, laptops, with teams building fanbases, sponsor value and global reach that outlast any single tournament. Argentina gets it. The federation is squeezing every drop out of its 2022 triumph, flooding TikTok with championship highlights, behind-the-scenes footage and Lionel Messi content that keeps a worldwide audience hooked. The rankings weigh audience size, visibility, engagement, growth and cross-platform reach. France, top of the initial list, slipped to second. Brazil, Portugal and England complete the top five, with Colombia, Mexico, Spain, Morocco and Germany filling out the top 10. The clearest proof that results drive reach is...

Carlos Alberto Parreira has been hospitalised in his fight against cancer. The 83-year-old World Cup winner Parreira was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2023 and in a statement the hospital said it would not provide details. The AP reported that Zinho, a member of the 1994 Brazil squad told journalists the former coach “is not in good shape” and had “lung problems that are putting him in a ventilator at the hospital.” “He is stable, we need to wait. Doctors are giving him the best care, all we can do is to pray for Parreira.” Parreira is one of the most distinguished managers in international football. He began his career in the 1960s and formed part of Brazil’s backroom staff at the 1970 World Cup when Pelé and Tostão guided the South Americans to their third World Cup. Twenty-four years later, he led Brazil to their fourth World Cup title at the 1994 iteration in the United States. He also formed a part of the Brazil setup at the 2014 World Cup when the five-time wor...