Sports Groove

...Games consultant Sir Itiako Ikpokpo praises smooth organisation of the ceremony ...Elder Paul Bassey applauds the professionalism behind the Games By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye and Edidiong Stephen     Uyo sparkled with colour, culture and confidence on Monday as the torch of the 2nd Niger Delta Games swept into the Akwa Ibom State capital amid pomp and pageantry, igniting excitement ahead of the Edo 2026 showpiece. The flame, a symbol of peace, strength and unity arrived from Calabar as part of its tour of the nine Niger Delta states competing at the Games, scheduled for February 20–27 in Edo State. Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Edidiong Umoafia led the procession, flanked by a proud parade of Akwa Ibom’s past and present sports heroes. The colourful march moved from the Ministry of Sports headquarters to the iconic Globe Roundabout on Wellington Bassey Way, where Governor Pastor Umo Eno stood ready to receive the torch alongside top government off...

...2017 AFCON winner, Arnaud Djoum part of technical team  By Maxwell Kumoye      RSC Anderlecht has been forced into an unexpected reset after Edward Still stepped down as head coach, barely 24 hours after the club’s painful defeat to Genk on matchday 24 of the Belgian Pro League.  The decision, which caught many by surprise, has triggered a swift response from the club hierarchy as they look to steady the ship at a crucial stage of the season. Still, one of the league’s youngest coaches, opted to resign following growing pressure after recent results. His departure leaves Anderlecht fourth on the table with 36 points, still firmly in the hunt, but with little margin for error as the campaign intensifies. In response, the club has turned inward. Former Anderlecht defender Jérémy Taravel has been handed the reins on an interim basis, a move that signals trust in familiarity and continuity.  Taravel is widely regarded as a strong locker-room pres...

...As Team Delta unleash speed and Steel at NDG athletics trials By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye and Jude Agbeyeke     Team Delta has wrapped up its athletics trials in emphatic fashion, lighting up the Stephen Keshi International Stadium, Asaba, ahead of the 2nd Niger Delta Games set for Benin City from February 19. The trials didn’t just pick a team, they unveiled a glimpse of the future. Faith Chukwuma stole the headlines in the women’s 200m, storming to the line in a blistering 22.34 seconds despite early drama that nearly derailed her outing.  But her dominance won’t go unchallenged. Ejiro Peter, the exciting new face from Ethiope West, finished second in 24.03 seconds, with Chinonso Odika close behind in 24.18 seconds to complete a fierce podium. The men’s 200m was equally electric. Osama Chibueze rose above a stacked field to claim top spot in 20.85 seconds, ahead of Rim Rukeh Fada (21.57s) and Egbo Destiny (21.78s).  Still, it was the sixth-p...

...As Nigeria Federation of American Football sets for historic inauguration of its new board By Maxwell Kumoye          Nigeria’s sports governance just recorded a quiet but powerful first down. As the Nigeria Federation of American Football (NFAF) prepares for the historic inauguration of its new board, two heavyweight women’s sports bodies, the National Association of Women in Sports (NAWIS) and the Association of Former Female Athletes of Nigeria (AFFAN) have secured seats at the decision-making table, signaling a welcome shift in how Nigerian sports is governed. The new NFAF board will be formally inaugurated on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, by the National Sports Commission (NSC) at its Abuja headquarters, an event that will also run alongside the Local Organising Committee meeting for the 2027 African School Sports Games.  Symbolism meets substance and progress on and off the field. NAWIS has nominated Dr. Oluyomi Oluwasanmi, while AFF...

By Trust Ittai     Dar es Salaam will be the heartbeat of African football on Friday as members of the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) Executive Committee converge on Tanzania for a crucial EXCO meeting. Chaired by CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe, the high-level gathering comes at a pivotal moment for the continent’s game, with key decisions expected to shape CAF’s roadmap in the months ahead. All eyes will be on the table as Africa’s football power brokers deliberate on pressing administrative and developmental issues. The meeting will be followed by a press conference at the Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam that will be streamed live on CAF TV, giving fans and stakeholders a front-row seat to the outcomes. Beyond policy and paperwork, the Dar es Salaam meeting carries symbolic weight.  It marks a major milestone in the countdown to the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027, to be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.  With Eas...

...As Awogu family mourns matriarch at 90 By FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG      The Awogu family has announced, with deep sorrow and gratitude to God, the passing of their beloved matriarch, Madam Nnedinobi Regina Awogu, who departed this world peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday morning at the ripe age of 90. Late Madam Awogu, a woman of grace, strength and quiet dignity, hailed from Ada Oko Anala in Delta State.  She lived a full and impactful life, one marked by love for family, devotion to community and values that have continued to shape generations after her. To those who knew her, she was a pillar of wisdom, a source of warmth and a steady guide whose presence brought comfort and reassurance. Announcing her passing, her son, Felix Awogu, veteran sports broadcaster and General Manager and Head of Outside Broadcast at SuperSport, described his mother as a woman whose life was devoted to service, sacrifice and nurturing others.  Her legacy, Awogu a for...

...As Andoma of Doma, Igoche Mark others stakeholders rally to rescue Nigerian basketball By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye    As basketball stakeholders await clear direction from FIBA on fresh elections into the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) board, a parallel battle and cleanup exercise is already underway, the fight to keep the game’s soul intact. At the heart of that effort is former NBA star and ex-D’Tigers captain Olumide Oyedeji, who has stepped firmly into the role of statesman, lending his voice, credibility and global experience to a process aimed at restoring sanity and unity to Nigerian basketball. The latest move came from Doma, Nasarawa State, where the Andoma of Doma, Dr. Ahmadu Aliyu Oga Onawo, convened a crucial stakeholders’ meeting at his palace. The meeting was held on the sideline of the 5th edition of the Andoma Peace and Unity Basketball Tournament in Lafia, Nasarawa State. The gathering, attended both physically and virtually, brou...

...Commends Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration sports blueprint  By Mishael Emmanuel      Nasarawa State’s growing reputation as a rising sports hub has earned fresh plaudits, with Mark D’ Ball Basketball Championship initiator, Mr. Igoche Mark, applauding the state government for what he described as a deliberate and result-driven investment in sports development. Mark, who is eyeing a seat on the new Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) board, gave the commendation during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Kwanta Bohar, in Lafia.  He singled out Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration for deploying sports as a powerful tool for youth empowerment, economic growth and social cohesion. “I commend the governor for actively advancing sports as a tool for youth empowerment, economic growth and social unity,” Mark said.  “This policy, which you are managing through conscious and deliberate investment, has st...

...Disburses over ₦200 million in training grants  By Maxwell Kumoye      Nigeria’s medal chase for the 2026 Commonwealth Games received a massive lift as the National Sports Commission (NSC) disbursed over ₦200 million in training grants to 26 elite athletes, signalling a bold statement of intent ahead of Glasgow 2026. The grants, released through the NSC’s Elite and Podium Board, cut across both home-based and foreign-based athletes and span key medal sports including: • Athletics  • Wrestling  • Weightlifting • Taekwondo  • Powerlifting • Para-sports  The funding is designed to cover critical training and preparation needs as Nigeria sharpens its edge for major international competitions. The latest disbursement follows the recent establishment of the Elite and Podium Board, a body created to deliver a scientific, structured and performance driven support system for Nigeria’s top athletes.  Selection for the grants came after w...