Sports Groove

...The man who also gave democracy the mic By Maxwell Kumoye with additional agency report     Three years after his death, Nigerians are still remembering the late High Chief Dr. Raymond Anthony Aleogho Dokpesi, OFR, as the fearless media pioneer who transformed broadcasting and gave independent voices a powerful platform across the country. Dokpesi, founder of DAAR Communications Plc, owners of Raypower FM and Africa Independent Television, died on May 29, 2023, at the age of 71, leaving behind a legacy that reshaped Nigeria’s media and democratic landscape. Widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Nigeria’s broadcast history, Dokpesi broke barriers when he launched Raypower FM, the country’s first private FM radio station, following the deregulation of the broadcast industry. He later established AIT, creating one of Nigeria’s most influential independent television platforms. At a time when government-owned stations dominated the airwaves, Rayp...

Forty young footballers of Ghanaian descent participated in the Ghana Football Association's inaugural UK Talent Identification Programme as efforts continues to strengthen the country's future national teams. The programme, held in Bromley, brought together players aged between U-15 and U-20 who are currently developing in some of England's top Category One academies. Participants represented leading clubs including Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Everton, giving Ghana's technical team an opportunity to assess some of the most promising dual-national talents available in the United Kingdom. The initiative was organised by the GFA in collaboration with Coach Hene Sporting Club, Ghanaians in the UK and Prince Lamona Consult. The exercise was supervised by GFA Technical Director Professor Joseph Kwame Mintah and FIFA Talent Coach Stuart McLaren, who worked alongside coaches from Coach Hene Sporting Club to evaluate players throughout the programme. The s...

...Ajayi becomes world’s fastest man in 2026 after record run   By Maxwell Kumoye       Nigeria’s sprinting history was rewritten on Friday night as Kanyinsola Ajayi stormed to a sensational 9.84 seconds to win his men’s 100m race at the NCAA East Regionals and book his place at the NCAA Championships. Running with a legal wind reading of 0.4, Ajayi shattered the long-standing Nigerian national record of 9.85 seconds set by Olusoji Fasuba in 2006, ending a 20-year wait for a new national benchmark in the blue-riband event. The remarkable performance also propelled the 21 year old Nigerian star to the top of the global rankings, making him the fastest man in the world so far in 2026 and handing him the world lead. Ajayi’s historic run is now the second-fastest 100m performance in collegiate history, further underlining his growing reputation as one of the brightest sprint talents in world athletics. Behind the Nigerian sensation, Ghana’s Mustapha Bopkin fi...

...As Foster misses penalty ahead of World Cup By Maxwell Kumoye      South Africa’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup suffered a setback on Friday after Bafana Bafana were held to a disappointing goalless draw by Nicaragua in an international friendly in Johannesburg. Burnley striker Lyle Foster endured a frustrating evening as he missed a penalty late in the first half, striking the post in what proved South Africa’s best opportunity of the encounter. Coach Hugo Broos opted to rest several key players ahead of the team’s departure to their World Cup training base in Pachuca, Mexico, but his side still dominated possession throughout the contest. Despite controlling the game for long periods, South Africa struggled to break down a resilient Nicaragua defence and created few clear-cut chances.  The visitors spent much of the match pinned inside their own half and offered little threat going forward. The stalemate leaves Broos with work to do as Baf...

...Bassey Hails Judokas after Games Qualification   By Maxwell Kumoye    Two judokas from Akwa Ibom State, Enku Ekuta and Immaculata Ufot, have qualified for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow following impressive performances at the Commonwealth Trials organised by the Nigeria Judo Federation in Abuja. The athletes were received on Friday by the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Sports after returning from the trials held at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, where they earned qualification in their respective weight categories. Enku Ekuta competed in the women’s -63kg category, while Immaculata Ufot featured in the women’s -57kg division, with both athletes securing podium finishes to book their places for the Commonwealth Games later this year. The medalists were formally presented to the Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, by the state Judo team led by coaches Kachi David and Adesuji Adebiyi during a reception at the Ministry of Sports. Speaking...

By Maxwell Kumoye     The 2026 edition of the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race is set to reach a global audience after organisers confirmed that the event will be broadcast live worldwide on Saturday, May 30. Widely regarded as one of Africa’s leading road races, the Okpekpe event continues to strengthen its international reputation following its historic emergence as the first road race in West Africa to earn World Athletics Label status. Since making its debut in 2013, the race has attracted elite long-distance runners from Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and Nigeria, growing steadily into a major fixture on the global athletics calendar. The challenging 10-kilometre course, which begins at Apana Road and finishes in Okpekpe, Edo State, combines steep hills with smooth tarred roads, testing both endurance and tactical discipline among competitors. Kenya’s Daniel Simiu Ebenyo currently holds the men’s course record of 28 minutes, 28 seconds, while Kazakhstan’s Carolin...

By Maxwell Kumoye     All roads lead to Edo State this Saturday as the 11th Okpekpe International 10km Road Race prepares to deliver another thrilling spectacle, with over 50 elite athletes from across the globe expected to battle for glory in West Africa’s premier Gold Label road race. Technical Director and General Coordinator of the race, Olympian Yusuf Alli, says preparations have entered top gear, with athletes already arriving in Nigeria ahead of what promises to be one of the biggest editions in the event’s history. Speaking in an exclusive chat with Sportsville, the former Nigerian long jump star revealed that organisers have been working around the clock to ensure a seamless and world-class competition. “The athletes started arriving from across the world on Monday, May 25th, ahead of the race this weekend,” Alli disclosed. “As we speak, all the technical areas have been perfected and our personnel are working tirelessly to ensure we achieve a great race o...

...To be buried in Umuahia, Abia State on May 29   By FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG        The Nigerian football family has continued to rally around Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze following the painful loss of his beloved mother, Prophetess (Dr.) Mrs. Serah Chinyere Chukwueze (Nee Onyegbule), who died at the age of 59. According to funeral arrangements released by the family, the late Prophetess will be laid to rest on Friday, May 29, 2026, in Umuahia, Abia State, bringing together family members, friends, church faithful and sympathizers to celebrate a life described as impactful, graceful and devoted to God. Mrs. Chukwueze, fondly remembered as a caring mother, wife, grandmother and respected spiritual figure, was the matriarch of the Chukwueze family of Umuechima, Okoko Item in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.  Her death has been received with deep sorrow by many who knew her for her kindness, strength and unwavering faith. The fu...

By FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG        The football community has been thrown into mourning following the tragic death of Nigerian winger Victor Udoh at the age of 21, with former clubs Southampton FC and Royal Antwerp paying emotional tributes to the promising youngster. Udoh, who was widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s emerging football talents, spent six months with Southampton’s academy after joining the club in February 2025.  During his short spell on England’s south coast, the talented left winger featured in eight matches for the Saints’ Under-21 side in the Premier League 2. Before his move to England, Udoh had developed through the ranks at Royal Antwerp, where he impressed for the club’s “Young Reds” team.  The Nigerian forward scored 12 goals in 27 appearances for the youth side and earned promotion to the first team, making 28 senior appearances for the Belgian outfit. Following his departure from Southampton in September, Udoh continue...