Sports Groove

By Maxwell Kumoye        Former Teranga Lions' coach Aliou Cissé has resigned from his role as head coach of the Libya national football team, bringing an end to a brief but eventful tenure with the Mediterranean Knights. The Senegalese tactician announced his departure on Wednesday morning via his official Instagram account, shortly after overseeing Libya in a friendly match against Liberia national football team.  Cissé described his time with the team as an “incredibly enriching” experience, both professionally and personally. “This month of March has been very special for me as it marked my final gathering as coach of the Libyan national team,” he wrote. “I could not leave without saying a word to you.” Appointed in March 2025 on a two-year contract, Cissé’s stint lasted just 12 months.  During that period, he led Libya in 10 matches, recording three wins, five draws, and two defeats, results that reflected a team in transition but showed si...

...Ghana drawn in tough group as Black Starlets eye World Cup return By Maxwell Kumoye        The stage is set, the future stars are ready, and North Africa braces for a thrilling spectacle as the CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 draws its battle lines. From May 13 to June 2, the continent’s brightest young talents will converge on Morocco, where four fiercely competitive groups promise drama, rivalry, and the emergence of Africa’s next generation of football icons. Hosts Morocco headline Group A, where they face stern tests against Tunisia, Egypt, and Ethiopia in what already feels like a North African showdown with no easy passage. Group B serves up a West and Central African clash, as Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon lock horns alongside Uganda and DR Congo—a pool packed with physicality, flair, and unpredictability. In Group C, traditional youth football powerhouse Mali will fancy their chances, but must navigate past Angola, Tanzania, and Mozamb...

By Maxwell Kumoye       The 2026 Diamond League season has suffered an early disruption, with the traditional curtain-raiser in Doha pushed back amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. Organisers confirmed on Wednesday that the Qatar leg of the prestigious track and field series, originally scheduled for May 8, will now hold on June 19 “should conditions allow,” citing safety concerns for athletes, officials, and spectators. The decision follows weeks of uncertainty in the region, as conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel continues to cast a shadow over major international events. Although a two-week ceasefire was announced hours before the postponement, officials opted for caution. In a statement, the Diamond League said it had been closely monitoring the situation in coordination with local organisers and authorities before arriving at the decision. The shift means that Shanghai will now host the season-opening meet on May 16, marki...

By Maxwell Kumoye        In a decisive show of confidence that sent a clear message across Nigeria’s media landscape, Senior High Chief Tony Akiotu, has emerged as the new Chairman of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria.  At the fiercely contested biennial election held in Abuja on Wednesday, Akiotu swept past his challenger, Raymond Dokpesi Jr. with a commanding 62 to 9 votes.  It wasn’t merely a victory, it was a devastating landslide endorsement of a man whose message had clearly resonated long before ballots were cast. Days ahead of the poll, Akiotu had laid his cards on the table, unveiling a manifesto that spoke directly to an industry grappling with survival, relevance, and rapid technological change.  His pitch was simple but forceful: • Continuity • Collaboration • Measurable progress and the broadcasters listened. At the heart of Akiotu’s agenda is a battle for the soul and survival of Nigeria’s broadcasting industry.  ...

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye who was in Abuja for the Games       The curtain fell on the third edition of the National Para Games in Abuja but beyond the medals, applause and podium finishes, a more troubling narrative has once again taken centre stage, neglect. At the iconic MKO Abiola Stadium, Enugu State emerged champions, finishing ahead of Bayelsa and Edo after nine days of intense competition.  A total of 25 states, including the FCT, showed up and delivered moments of inspiration across 15 para sports. On the surface, it looked like progress. Under the leadership of Dr. Mallam, Shehu Dikko and Honourable Bukola Olopade, the National Sports Commission (NSC), provided a solid platform, arguably one of the most structured in recent years for para athletes to compete, shine and be seen. But peel back the layers, and the cracks are impossible to ignore. 12 States including heavyweights like Delta, Ogun, Akwa Ibom, Oyo, Anambra and Imo, did...

  By Maxwell Kumoye      For all the noise about inclusivity in global sport, Nigeria’s states have once again been caught on the wrong side of history and this time, the evidence was laid bare at the just concluded 3rd National Para Games in Abuja. While the world is moving steadily toward equal opportunity for athletes with disabilities, many State Sports Councils in Nigeria are still stuck in a cycle of indifference, lip service, and outright neglect. The result? A national showpiece meant to celebrate resilience and excellence instead exposed a troubling lack of commitment from those entrusted with grassroots sports development. Only 24 states and the FCT showed up for the nine-day competition, a damning statistic on its own.  Worse still, several of those who attended arrived with depleted contingents, poorly equipped teams, and embarrassingly inadequate kits.  In some cases, athletes who fought their way to the podium had no proper attire ...

...Dedicate his victory to all BON members and the Nigerian media industry   By Maxwell Kumoye      Newly elected Chairman of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), Senior High Chief Tony Akiotu, has pledged to lead an inclusive, forward-looking administration focused on sustainability, digital transition, and industry growth. Akiotu made the commitment on Wednesday in his acceptance speech following his election as BON chairman, describing his victory as a collective mandate that reflects the trust of members across the organisation. He thanked stakeholders for the confidence reposed in him, stressing that the responsibility of leading BON would be approached with humility and a strong sense of duty. The chairman also acknowledged his co-contestant, Raymond Dokpesi Jr., noting that both camps share a common commitment to the development of broadcasting in Nigeria. Akiotu paid tribute to past leaders and pioneers of the industry, including the l...

By Maxwell Kumoye      All roads lead to Abuja as the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) holds its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and elects a new chairman on April 8 at Hawthorn Suites, Area 11, Garki.  But beyond the formalities of the gathering, attention has firmly settled on one man widely regarded as the preferred choice to lead the nation’s apex broadcast body, Tony Anegbe Akiotu. With the theme, “The Management of the Airwaves: An Assessment of the 2026 Nigerian Electoral Act on Broadcast Media Coverage of the Elections,” the AGM will bring together key stakeholders across Nigeria’s broadcast landscape, with the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed, billed as Special Guest of Honour. The election marks the end of a two-year tenure by outgoing chairman, Salihu Abdullahi Dembos, whose leadership followed BON’s tradition of rotating the chairmanship between public and private sectors.  With the baton now set to ...

...Applauds Team Edo's podium finish at the Games By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye           The Executive Director of Sports Development and Operations, Edo State Sports Commission, (ESSC), Mrs. Sabina Chikere, a key figure in the development of sports in Nigeria, has described Sports in the Heartbeat State as hitting the right notes, regionally and nationally. The art and cultural city still reeling in the joy of winning the Niger Delta Games was blessed with another podium finish, this time on the National level. Mrs. Chikere described Team Edo's performance at the National Para Games as a striking demonstration of ongoing sporting transformation in the State, adding that it's hitting the right notes. The renowned sports administrator, was full of praises for the members of Team Edo to the games. "We keep getting better with each sporting outing.” Team Edo delivered a commanding performance at the 3rd National Para Games in Abuja, fi...