Sports Groove

…Teamwork and dedication key to the success of the Games By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye and Mishael Emmanuel     The Executive Director, Sports Development and Operations at the Edo State Sports Commission (ESSC), Mrs. Sabina Chikere, has reaffirmed that the Niger Delta Games were deliberately designed as a platform for grassroots talent discovery and long-term athlete development.   Speaking on the vision behind the competition, Mrs. Chikere described the Games as a structured pathway to identify promising young athletes across the region and groom them into future national and international champions.   According to her, the objective is clear — to make the Niger Delta a benchmark for sports development in Nigeria — a model other regions can emulate.   “So far, so good, it’s been going well. From the beginning, we made it clear that the Niger Delta Games would serve as a breeding ground. We want to discover new talents; we want to develop our...

By Mishael Emmanuel and Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye          The Commissioner, Bayelsa State Ministry of Sports Hon. Daniel Igali, has endorsed the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), for creating and supporting the Niger Delta Games.   The Honourable Commissioner gave this verdict on Monday, in an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG at the sidelines of the 2nd edition of the annual muti-sport event tagged, Edo 2026, as he expressed gratitude to the Commission for turning the Games into a deliberate talent-discovery mechanism for young athletes.   “I want to profusely thank the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), for this worthwhile initiative. The initiative of making the Niger Delta Games (NDG), an annual event but also making it an Under-20 event. Infact, this is what makes it a competition of discovery of young athletes,” Hon. Igali, an Olympic and Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist, stated.  ...

  The Ghana Football Association has officially transitioned its Information Technology (IT) Department to a 24-hour operational model, aligning with government’s transformative 24-Hour Economy policy aimed at boosting productivity, efficiency and national development. The bold move positions the GFA as the first sports institution in the country to structurally align its internal operations with the national agenda, reinforcing its commitment to innovation, modernisation and responsive service delivery. Under the leadership of IT Director Francis Adu, the department now operates in structured shifts, ensuring uninterrupted technical support to clubs, Regional Football Associations and stakeholders across the football ecosystem. “The 24-hour system has been extremely helpful in enhancing efficiency, responsiveness and overall service delivery to our stakeholders,” Adu told GFA Communications. “We are now able to address technical issues in real time, support match opera...

...“We must build a pipeline for junior talents to become senior champions” By Mishael Emmanuel and Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, Edo State, South-South, Nigeria           The Secretary General of the Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF), Mrs. Ejiro Thukson, has described the ongoing second edition of the Niger Delta Games as a shining template for structured talent identification and sustainable grassroots development in Nigerian sports.   Speaking in an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG on the sidelines of the chess event at the famous Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, in Nigeria's art and culture capital, Benin City, Edo State, Southern Nigeria, Mrs. Thukson said the multi-sport festival represents the kind of deliberate, long-term investment needed to transform promising talents into elite champions.   “I would say the event is fantastic,” she declared. “It is a perfect develo...

...Clinches second gold medal at the Games By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium           Young and promising Edo State athlete, Emmanuel Audu Shakamomodu, on Sunday clinched a second medal for Team Edo at the 2nd Niger Delta Games, ongoing at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City. It was a day to remember for Audu Shakamomodu, as he once again proved why he is the foundation of Team Edo's shot put and Hammer youth Team.  Despite the victory, expressed disappointment in his throws stating that he could have done better. “It was okay, but I just felt that I could have done better and there is still room for improvement.   “Although I would say I slacked off a little bit but there is room for improvement so I just have to go back, work on my technique, perfect it and come back better.” He stated that next on the chart for him is the World U-20 Championship at Oregon as he eyes international glory. ...

By Maxwell Kumoye      The fallout from the explosive Africa Cup of Nations final has taken a dramatic turn, as the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) launches a blistering attack on a Moroccan court for jailing 18 Senegalese supporters after chaotic scenes in Rabat. In a verdict delivered on February 19, a court in Rabat handed prison sentences ranging from three months to one year, along with fines, to fans arrested during the January 18 final, a match that saw Senegal edge hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time to lift the continental crown. Nine supporters were sentenced to one year behind bars and fined MAD 5,000. Six received six months with fines of MAD 2,000, while three were handed three-month terms and fined MAD 1,000.  The convictions stemmed from charges including violence against law enforcement, vandalism of sports facilities, pitch invasion and throwing projectiles during the heated encounter. But the FSF is not backing down. “We express our ...

By Games Media Hub Akwa Ibom State athlete, Hephzibah Okon has dedicated her gold medal race to the state governor and other Sports administrators in the state  Okon won the gold medal in the 800 metres at the 2nd Niger Delta Games in Benin with the time of 2.18minutes. "I am really happy to win this gold for Team Akwa Ibom. The support from our State Government, led by our amazing, Sports Loving Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, Honourable Commissioner and sports administrators has kept us motivated to give our best every day. "This is why I'm dedicating the gold medal to the governor, Sports Commissioner and others involved with Sports in the State, she said. The medalist has set her sights on representing Nigeria at senior-level competitions in the near future.  She has also earned an invitation to participate in the National Youth Festival alongside International Junior Athletes in 2025. "I will continue to do my best to put Akwa Ibom State in the World Sport...

By Maxwell Kumoye and Trust Ittai      Abia Warriors returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Kwara United in their Matchday 27 clash of the Nigeria Premier Football League at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba. After five matches without a win, the Warriors found their spark through an unlikely hero, Casmir Azubuike.  His speculative 29th-minute delivery, intended as a cross, sailed past everyone in the box, including Kwara United goalkeeper Suraj Ayeleso, before nestling into the back of the net.  The fortunate strike proved decisive in a tense encounter. Coach Imama Amapakabo made just one change to the side that secured a draw away to Remo Stars in Abeokuta, with Kunle Adeleke stepping in for the suspended Somiari Alalibo. The adjustment paid off as Adeleke slotted seamlessly into the backline. The Warriors were sluggish in the opening exchanges but gradually asserted control, pushing the visitors deep into their half....

By Maxwell Kumoye     The ugly face of racism once again reared its head in the Premier League on Sunday, casting a shadow over Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare and other African stars competing at the highest level of English football. Arokodare, who featured for Wolverhampton Wanderers in their narrow 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, was subjected to a wave of racial abuse on social media after the final whistle. The 25-year-old Nigerian forward who was left out of the Super Eagles party to the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, striving to make his mark in one of the world’s toughest leagues, became the latest target of anonymous online attacks. Wolves reacted swiftly, condemning the abuse in strong terms and pledging unwavering support for their player.  The club described themselves as “disgusted” by the multiple instances of abuse directed at Arokodare and reaffirmed their commitment to standing firmly beside him and all footballers forced to endure such treatment. The ...