Sports Groove

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye    The 2nd edition of the Niger Delta Games, may have ended but for the President of the Nigeria Olympian Association, Olumide Oyedeji OLY, it serves as the benchmark for organisers of sporting events across the state on how events should be held and organised. He made this statement in an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG's Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye, adding that the organisation of the Niger Delta Games was near flawless. From the arrival of the contingents, to the screening of athletes, to the organisation of the various events, the FIBA Ambassador, described the event as the perfect description of what a sporting event should be like. Mr. Olumide Oyedeji, the CEO of Olumide Oyedeji Youth Foundation, stated that the Niger Delta Games reflects what he has been doing for basketball in Nigeria and on the Continent, adding that it's a sight to behold seeing others following in his footsteps. The NBA Ambassa...

...Rewards team with 30 million naira    By Maxwell Kumoye        Governor Monday Okpebholo on Tuesday hosted triumphant athletes of Team Edo at the Government House in Benin City following their dominant performance at the Niger Delta Games Edo 2026, where the state emerged overall champions. At a colourful reception held at the New Festival Hall, the governor received the champions’ trophy and applauded the athletes, coaches and officials for their determination and discipline that powered Edo to the top of the medals table at the regional tournament organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission. Okpebholo said the victory has strengthened his administration’s commitment to talent discovery and sports development, adding that some of the athletes would be groomed to represent Nigeria at future global competitions, including the Olympic Games. The governor also reaffirmed his earlier pledge of a ₦30 million reward for the victorious team,...

By Maxwell Kumoye      Calls for the inclusion of Andre Ayew in Ghana’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have intensified after Member of Parliament for Ketu North, Eric Edem Agbana, urged national team selectors to reward the veteran forward’s long-standing service to the Black Stars. Speaking on Eyewitness News, Agbana said the 36-year-old forward deserves a place in the squad, citing his commitment and sacrifice for the national team over the years.  While acknowledging that the final decision rests with head coach Otto Addo, the lawmaker argued that loyalty should play a role in team selection. “We need to reward sacrifice, hard work and loyalty. Andre Ayew has shown enormous commitment to the Black Stars, and I believe he should be included,” Agbana said. Ayew, Ghana’s most capped player and former captain, recently boosted his case by scoring his first goal for Dutch club NAC Breda, showing he can still compete at a high level despite concerns abou...

  A delegation from FIFA has begun a key inspection tour of Spain, Portugal and Morocco as preparations intensify for the historic 2030 FIFA World Cup. The two-week mission, which started on March 9, will see officials assess stadium facilities, infrastructure and organisational readiness across several candidate host cities ahead of the official announcement of host venues in December 2026. The delegation kicked off the tour in Spain with visits to stadiums in Barcelona and Madrid before moving to Portugal.  The final leg will take place in Morocco where six cities: • Casablanca • Rabat • Tangier • Marrakech • Agadir • Fès  These cities are being considered as host venues. Among the stadiums under review is the Grand Stade Hassan II in Casablanca, a 115,000-seat facility currently under construction and widely tipped as a possible venue for the World Cup final. Inspectors are evaluating key areas including stadium safety, VIP sections, media facilities, trans...

  Australia has granted humanitarian visas to two additional members of Iran’s women’s national football team after they chose to remain in the country over fears for their safety if they returned home. Australia’s Home Affairs Minister, Tony Burke, confirmed on Wednesday that a player and a member of the team’s support staff accepted the government’s offer, bringing the number of Iranian team members granted asylum in the country to seven. Five players had already been granted humanitarian visas a day earlier. Burke said the same offer was extended to other members of the squad during discussions at Sydney airport before their departure. According to him, the visas provide a pathway to permanent residency in Australia. “I made them the same offer that I made the five players the night before,” Burke told reporters, explaining that the government had prepared the necessary paperwork to immediately process the humanitarian visas for anyone willing to stay. Australian off...

...Hails his lasting football legacy By Maxwell Kumoye        The National Sports Commission (NSC) has mourned the death of former Super Eagles coach, Adegboye Onigbinde, describing his passing as the end of an era for Nigerian football. Onigbinde, a revered coach, administrator and technical instructor, was one of the most influential figures in the development of the sport in Nigeria, dedicating more than five decades to nurturing players, coaches and football administrators. He notably guided Nigeria to the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and South Korea, and later played a major role in coaching education across Africa through his work with both Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA as a technical instructor. Reacting to the news, Director General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, described the late football tactician as a national icon whose contributions shaped modern football development in Nigeria. Olopade said Onigbinde’s career went beyond coa...

By Maxwell Kumoye        The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Technical Director and two-time Head Coach of Nigeria’s senior men national team, Adegboye Onigbinde. NFF described his death as the loss of a towering figure who devoted his life to the growth and development of football. In a statement released by the federation, NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi said the respected Modakeke high chief served Nigerian football with exceptional dedication and commitment, leaving behind a legacy that extended beyond the country to the wider African and global football community. Sanusi described Onigbinde as an extraordinary personality whose passion for the game was unmatched.  He noted that the late tactician remained deeply involved in football development even in his later years, constantly offering advice and guidance on how the sport could continue to grow. According to him, the Nigerian football...

...As tributes pour in for late Super Eagles coach By Maxwell Kumoye  Tributes have continued to pour in for former Super Eagles coach, Adegboye Onigbinde, whose passing on Monday in Osun State has thrown the Nigerian football community into deep mourning. Among those who have paid glowing tributes is the Secretary General of the World Olympians Association, Olumide Oyedeji, who described the late tactician as a patriotic Nigerian whose dedication to football helped shape the sport in the country. Oyedeji, who also serves as a Vice President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, said Onigbinde was more than just a coach, but a father figure whose values and principles should continue to inspire generations of Nigerian football stakeholders. According to him, the late football icon’s greatest legacy lies not only in the matches he coached but in the discipline, courage and deep football intelligence he instilled in players, coaches and administrators. “Coach Onigbinde was a ...

The NBA has cancelled the Atlanta Hawks' collaboration with Magic City, a local strip club, ending what would have been a first-of-its-kind promotional night in professional basketball. Last month, the Hawks announced their highly-anticipated match ‌against the Orlando Magic on March 16, describing it as "a one-night collaboration to celebrate the city's iconic cultural institution". Commissioner Adam Silver said that the league had scrapped the Hawks' planned "Magic City Monday" promotion, calling it "the right decision for the broader NBA community."   "When we became aware of the Atlanta Hawks' scheduled ⁠promotion, we reached out to Hawks leadership to better understand their plans and rationale," Silver said in a statement on Monday.   "We have heard significant concerns from a broad array of league stakeholders, including fans, partners and employees. I believe canceling this promotion is the right decision ...