Sports Groove

…We are hosting to win — Mrs. Sabina Chikere By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye      The Executive Director of Sports Development and Operations, Edo State Sports Commission, Mrs. Sabina Chikere, has set a bold tone ahead of the second edition of the Niger Delta Games, describing the regional sporting festival as a one-of-a-kind event. Mrs. Chikere made this known in an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG, assuring that preparations are in top gear as Edo State readies itself to host the competition. “So far, so good. Preparations are in top gear, our athletes are ready, and we have been preparing for some time now. This is the second edition; we participated in the first one in Akwa Ibom. Fortunately, we are hosting this time, and we are hosting to win,” she said. She explained that the state’s approach is a deliberate and strategic effort aimed at discovering, grooming, and showcasing young talents across the Heartbeat Nation. According to he...

By Maxwell Kumoye        Rwanda Energy Group (REG) Basketball Club laid down an early marker in their quest for another Rwanda Basketball League title with a ruthless 116–70 demolition of Inspired Generation on Sunday, February 8, at the Petit Stade. It was a statement performance from Odaudu Ogoh’s side, who wasted no time asserting their dominance.  Powered by the sharp shooting of small forward Prince Muhizi, REG stormed through the opening quarter 24–10 and tightened the screws in the second, outscoring their opponents 30–15 to race into a commanding 54–25 halftime lead. The contest quickly turned one-sided after the break as REG shifted through the gears in the third quarter, piling on 36 points to Inspired Generation’s 19 to effectively put the game beyond reach.  Although both teams shared the final quarter 26–26, the damage had long been done. Muhizi was the standout performer on the day, finishing with a game-high 26 points. New signing...

By Maxwell Kumoye      The final buzzer has sounded on the tenure of Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) board members whose reign officially expired on January 31, 2026. But instead of exiting the court quietly, a handful of desperate holdovers are scrambling for relevance, throwing up wild shots that keep clanging off the rim. With the keys to the federation already taken from them, the outgone officials have reportedly resorted to hiring half-baked media hands, figures alien to Nigerian basketball and clueless about its history in a bid to manufacture “feel-good vibes” and confuse the public. Their latest attempt, a poorly packaged press release claiming their tenure has not ended. It didn’t just miss the mark; it air-balled. To compound their misery, the NBBF Secretary-General, Amina Amanchi, has locked them out of the secretariat machinery, including the official letterhead which is an unmistakable sign that the game has moved on without them. One of the...

By Maxwell Kumoye    Côte d’Ivoire’s U-20 Elephant Girls put one foot into the next round of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers with a convincing 2–0 victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday. However, Ghana’s Black Princesses were left to rue missed chances after being held to a 2–2 draw by South Africa. Playing in front of a buoyant home crowd at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, where gates were thrown open to fans, the Ivorians produced a composed and dominant display to seize control of their third-round tie. Nguessan Rolande opened the scoring in the 34th minute, rewarding sustained pressure from the hosts, before Djan Lou Audrey doubled the advantage midway through the second half to cap an impressive performance. The result gives coach Mathieu Esposito and his young side a healthy cushion ahead of the return leg in Lubumbashi on February 14.  With two away goals to protect and growing confidence within the squad, Côte d’Ivoir...

By Mishael Emmanuel with additional agency report    Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund have taken a major step in expanding their global football footprint with the launch of the BVB International Academy Ghana, the club’s first academy on the African continent. The academy was officially unveiled at a colourful ceremony held at the Kwae Terrace in Accra, drawing football fans, media personalities, former Ghana internationals and representatives of the German club. Set up in partnership with Accra Shooting Stars FC, the academy will cater for boys and girls aged 6 to 18 and will operate on a pay-to-play basis, while also offering scholarships to talented players from underprivileged backgrounds. Organisers say the model is designed to balance sustainability with inclusivity. In a statement, the BVB International Academy Ghana explained that players will be trained under Dortmund’s globally recognised methodology, with a holistic focus that goes beyond football. “...

...We are extremely proud of the accomplishments of these players – NSC  ...This promotion reflects the direction Nigerian sports are taking and the renewed belief – Honourable Olopade By Maxwell Kumoye        Nigeria’s steady tennis revival over the last 15 months hit a new high on Sunday as the country clinched promotion to the Davis Cup World Group II, powering past Uzbekistan in front of an electric home crowd in Lagos. At the heart of it all was Daniel Adeleye, calm, ruthless and unshakeable when it mattered most. With Nigeria holding a 2–1 advantage after the doubles, Adeleye sealed the tie in style, dispatching Ilya Ignatov 6–3, 6–4 to hand the hosts an unassailable 3–1 lead and spark celebrations at the historic Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, 1895. It was a statement win. Not just of a tie, but of a sport clearly on the rise. Nigeria’s campaign was built on grit and clarity of purpose. After Saturday’s singles ended evenly at 1–1, the momentum ...

...Ex-NBBF board member rejects tenure extension talk By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye with additional agency report    Former Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) board member, Olumide Oyedeji, has firmly shut down speculation surrounding the expiration of his tenure, insisting that the constitution and not convenience must prevail. Speaking candidly during a phone interview on “Sports Parliament” on Emirates 98.5FM, Ilorin, hosted by Tosh Michael on February 8, 2026, Oyedeji made his position crystal clear.  “I was elected on January 31, 2022, and my tenure expired on January 31, 2026,” he stated. “I am not one of those clamouring for an extension till October or hiding behind inauguration dates.” With the authority of a seasoned administrator and former national team star, Oyedeji stressed that the NBBF constitution leaves no room for ambiguity.  “Tenure begins immediately after election,” he said. “As someone who has sworn an oath to uphold our co...

By Maxwell Kumoye      Nigeria and Cameroon set the tone at opposite ends of the spectrum as Africa’s chase for places at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup gathered pace, one with steel and patience, the other with sheer firepower. In Abeokuta, Nigeria’s Falconets did what champions-in-waiting do, win when the margins are thin. A composed 51st-minute strike from Kindness Ifeanyi proved decisive as Nigeria edged Senegal 1–0 in the first leg of their third-round qualifier. It wasn’t flashy, but it was authoritative. The Falconets controlled the tempo, squeezed space, and walked away with the advantage that matters most, a clean sheet and a lead to defend. If Nigeria’s message was about efficiency, Cameroon’s was thunderous. The Junior Indomitable Lionesses tore Botswana apart with a ruthless 5–0 demolition, announcing themselves as one of the most dangerous sides left in the race.  From the opening whistle, Cameroon overwhelmed their opponents with pace,...

By Maxwell Kumoye      Ghana’s drive to create a more sustainable and accountable financing system for sports has taken shape with clearer guidelines on how athletes and federations can access the Ghana Sports Fund. Established by the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, the Fund is designed to bridge the gap between limited central government budget allocations and the growing investment needs of sports development across the country.  It also seeks to reduce over-reliance on state funding by creating a structured channel for support from individuals, philanthropists and private organisations. HOW TO ACCESS THE FUND Eligible athletes, teams and national sports federations are required to submit a formal application to the Fund Administrator.  Applications must be made in the prescribed manner and using the approved forms. Once an application is received, the Administrator has a maximum of 10 days to respond.  The application may either be approve...