Sports Groove

... Still in the mix for more tickets  By Maxwell Kumoye  Against the backdrop of late withdrawals and a largely home-based squad, Team Nigeria’s youthful quartet delivered a spirited performance to book a place in the final of the mixed 4x100m relay at the World Championships in Gaborone, Botswana. The team, comprising Favour Ashe, Jennifer Chukwuka-Obi, Chidera Ezeakor, and Maria Thompson—clocked an impressive 40.24 seconds in the semi-finals, finishing among the top contenders to progress. Their effort not only secured a spot in Sunday’s final but also guaranteed Nigeria qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in China. In the process, the Nigerian team rewrote their own African record, underlining their growing stature on the global stage despite the challenges faced ahead of the competition. The semi-final race was fiercely contested, with Canada storming to victory in a time of 40.07 seconds. Germany followed closely in 40.15 seconds, while t...

By Maxwell Kumoye      The Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) has thrown its weight behind the nomination of Hassan Olojoku Abdulrafiu for the position of National Youth Coach, citing his impressive track record in grassroots development and youth excellence. Olojoku, who currently serves as North Central Youth Coordinator of the federation and Kwara State Youth Coach, has built a reputation as one of the country’s most effective youth trainers.  His tenure in Kwara has been marked by sustained dominance at the National Youth Games, where his players have consistently delivered multiple gold medals, reinforcing the state’s status as a powerhouse in youth scrabble. Beyond the domestic scene, his athletes have made significant impressions internationally, representing Nigeria at the World Youth Scrabble Championship and securing podium finishes at the African Youth Scrabble Championship. These achievements, according to the federation, underline his ability ...

By Maxwell Kumoye    Nigeria delivered a commanding performance on the opening day of the African Senior Wrestling Championships in Alexandria, sweeping four gold medals in the women’s events and setting an early tone in their quest for continental dominance. Leading the charge was reigning African champion Esther Kolawole, who put on a masterclass in the 62kg category.  She overwhelmed South Africa’s Katelyn Swan with a 10-0 superiority victory, securing her fifth African title in emphatic fashion. Nigeria’s golden run began earlier in the 53kg division, where Christianah Ogunsanya claimed top honours after defeating Ivory Coast’s Nogona Bakayoko 7-1.  The momentum continued as Jumoke Adekoye triumphed in the 57kg category, dispatching Algeria’s Achouak Tekouk 8-4. In the 73kg division, Hannah Ojo showcased tactical brilliance to outwit Cameroon’s Pelagie Wilita 3-1, sealing Nigeria’s fourth gold medal of the day and reinforcing the team’s ambitions of s...

...As Nigeria ambassador in Egypt hails dominant start in Alexandria By Maxwell Kumoye      Nigeria’s charge for continental wrestling dominance gathered momentum on Friday in Alexandria as the country’s contingent impressed on Day 1 of the senior events at the African Wrestling Championships in Alexandria This stellar performance is already drawing high praise from the nation’s diplomatic corps in Egypt. Nigeria’s Ambassador to Egypt, Musa Dauda, could not hide his excitement after witnessing a string of commanding performances in the qualifying rounds, where Team Nigeria powered into four finals with the prospect of more to come. The Nigerian wrestlers dominated their bouts with authority, underlining their ambition to retain their continental crown, particularly in the women’s category and push toward a historic 15th African title.  Their display left the ambassador visibly impressed, especially given the level of competition from host nation Egypt. “T...

...Says Nigerian sports isn't progressing at the right speed  By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye           The Executive Director of Olympafrica Foundation, Alassane Diack, has described Nigeria as a nation that is not utilizing its talents and potential in Sports to the fullest. He gave this verdict at the inauguration ceremony of the Olympafrica Foundation Centre, emphasizing that some countries in Africa, don't have as much resources or talents as Nigeria, yet they perform better in sports. Going back some 30+ years Diack sighed, stating when he first came to Nigeria in 1992, sports in the country were thriving, with the likes of Mary Onyali leading that squad. “In 1992 I was the manager of the African Team in Athletics we went to the World Championship, and the 1994 in London, more 50 percent of the team was composed of Nigerian athletes we had Onyali, Otondo, many Nigeria and I remember that when I was leaving my last World Cham...

By Maxwell Kumoye  Team Nigeria will kick off its campaign at the ongoing African Wrestling Championships in Alexandria, Egypt, with high expectations as the competition gets underway on Friday morning. The Nigerian contingent steps onto the mat at 8:00 a.m. Nigerian time (10:00 a.m. local time in Egypt), aiming to make a strong early statement in both the men’s and women’s categories. In the men’s 61kg division, Saviour Egoli faces a tough opening bout against the host nation’s Hassan Mohamed Elshahat Mohamed Elsayed. Wrestling in front of a home crowd, the Egyptians will have the advantage of local support, but Egoli will be eager to silence the arena with a commanding performance and secure passage to the next round. Attention will also be on reigning African champion Mercy Genesis, who begins her title defense in the women’s 50kg category.  Genesis takes on Chancelvie Gomba of DR Congo in her first-round clash, looking to assert her dominance early and reinforc...

...Breaks ground on long-awaited Olympic Estate in Lagos By Maxwell Kumoye      The Nigeria Olympic Committee has taken a major step toward grassroots sports development with the commissioning of the Olympafrica Centre in Amuwo Odofin and the groundbreaking of a long-awaited Olympic Estate project in Lagos. The dual ceremony, held on Wednesday, was performed by National Sports Commission Chairman Shehu Dikko, marking both the formal unveiling of a revitalised community sports hub and the beginning of a residential development nearly four decades in the making. For years, the Olympafrica Centre had functioned informally as a haven for young athletes in the community.  Its official commissioning now ushers in a new era, with upgraded facilities including a renovated cultural centre, a multi-purpose plateau, a covered spectators’ pavilion, modern changing rooms, a security post and a borehole system.  Reconstruction of the football pitch and an eight-la...

By Maxwell Kumoye         Kenya’s newest long-distance hero, Sabastian Sawe, received a grand homecoming after his historic feat at the London Marathon, where he shattered the marathon world record. Sawe touched down in Kenya to a hero’s welcome, headlined by none other than President William Ruto.  In a ceremony that underscored the magnitude of his achievement, the Kenyan leader praised Sawe’s record-breaking run as a moment of national pride and global sporting excellence. As part of the recognition, Sawe was awarded KSh 8 million, along with a custom vehicle plate boldly inscribed “1:59:30” a tribute to his groundbreaking time that has now redefined the limits of marathon running.  In an additional show of appreciation, the government also offered the athlete a car of his choice. Sawe’s achievement not only cements his place among Kenya’s legendary distance runners but also strengthens the country’s dominance on the world marathon stage...

By Maxwell Kumoye      A huge number of football analysts and supporters of Shooting Stars Sports Club have intensified calls for Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle to hand in-form striker Qamar Adegoke a national team invitation ahead of the upcoming Unity Cup in London. The appeal, led by fans’ spokesman Mutiu Ijadunola, comes on the back of Adegoke’s impressive performances in the Nigeria Premier Football League, where the 21-year-old has emerged as one of the most lethal forwards this season. According to Ijadunola, Adegoke possesses the qualities needed to grow into a reliable backup for Victor Osimhen, if given the right exposure and guidance within the national team setup. “Adegoke has shown consistency and maturity beyond his age,” he said. “He is not just a prospect; he is a specialist right-footed number nine hitting his peak at the ideal time. London presents the perfect shop window for his talent.” Statistically, the young striker’s case is hard t...