Sports Groove

By Maxwell Kumoye        The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, has lauded Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, for her unwavering commitment to the growth of women’s sports in the country. Olopade gave the commendation on Wednesday while the First Lady hosted Nigeria’s victorious women’s wrestling team following their dominant outing at the recently concluded African Wrestling Championships. Nigeria’s women wrestlers once again underlined their supremacy on the continent by clinching a record-extending 15th African title after finishing with eight gold and two silver medals in Egypt. According to the NSC Director General, the sustained success of Nigerian female athletes on both continental and global stages has been greatly boosted by the First Lady’s consistent support and encouragement. Olopade described Senator Tinubu as one of the strongest pillars behind Nigerian wrestling, especially in promoting greater participa...

By Maxwell Kumoye      Team Nigeria’s campaign at the World Relays in Gaborone has been defined by meticulous preparation, strong institutional backing, and a historic achievement that has set the nation apart on the continental stage. Arriving well ahead of the competition, the Nigerian contingent ensured optimal readiness, with athletes fully kitted and supported by a complete technical crew, including a robust medical team.  The early arrival allowed the squad to settle, train, and build cohesion, factors that ultimately translated into success on the track. Crucially, the team enjoyed solid backing from the National Sports Commission (NSC), led by Director General Bukola Olopade, whose presence provided both administrative support and morale.  The Nigeria Olympic Committee also played a vital role, with senior Vice President Solomon Ogba offering motivation to the athletes.  Seasoned administrator Salihu Abubakar further reinforced the team’...

...As fans eye ₦1m cash bonanza Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye      Popular Afrobeats sensation Portable will headline the closing ceremony of the 2026 Nigeria National League (NNL) Super Four as organisers prepare a grand finale at the Remo Stars Stadium. The Ogun State-born entertainer, whose real name is Habeeb Olalomi, is expected to thrill fans with his energetic stage performance, viral dance routines and chart-topping hits as the curtain falls on the tournament that will determine the champions of the 2025/2026 NNL season. Organisers also announced a series of cash rewards aimed at boosting fan participation and creating a carnival atmosphere around the competition.  Two lucky spectators will win ₦500,000 each in a live raffle draw to be conducted by Portable, while the first 200 fans to enter the stadium on finals day will receive ₦5,000 each. According to officials of Toptier Sports Management, the initiative is designed to celebrate supporter...

...As Bayelsa earns multiple awards   By Mishael Emmanuel        Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency Senator Douye Diri, has called on politicians in the state to conduct themselves within the bounds of the law as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections. Speaking on Wednesday during the State Executive Council meeting at Government House in Yenagoa, the governor stressed that politics should be driven by service to the people rather than personal ambition. He urged aspirants across party lines to exercise restraint and adhere strictly to established rules guiding the political process. Diri noted that the political atmosphere in the state remained largely peaceful and voluntary, commending the absence of coercion among aspirants.  He, however, reiterated the importance of respecting zoning arrangements where applicable, adding that internal party mechanisms must be upheld. Referencing the position of the All Progressives Cong...

  By Maxwell Kumoye        The Akwa Ibom State sports sector may be on the verge of a major transformation following a high-level stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Commissioner for Sports, Paul Bassey, at the iconic Godswill Akpabio International Stadium. The strategic session, held in Uyo, brought together chairmen and secretaries of various sports associations alongside key stakeholders, with a unified goal to address systemic challenges and reposition sports in the state for sustained growth and competitiveness. Representatives from a wide spectrum of sports, including football, boxing, karate, weightlifting, aquatic sports, chess, scrabble, and judo, engaged in robust discussions centered on practical reforms and improved administration. In his address, Bassey praised the commitment of association leaders, describing the meeting as a deliberate effort to strengthen collaboration and build a more effective sports framework.  He also ackno...

...Letsile Tebogo and Collen Kebinatshipi not in the roster    By Maxwell Kumoye    Botswana has officially unveiled its final 25 man squad for the upcoming CAA Senior African Championships, with the nation’s top track and field stars set to compete in Accra, Ghana from May 12–17, 2026. The announcement, made by the Botswana Athletics Association, signals the start of an intensive build-up phase, as the full squad assembled for national camp on May 6.  The camp is expected to fine-tune preparations across sprint, middle-distance, jumps, and hurdles events as Botswana aims for a strong continental showing. Leading the men’s team are sprinters such as Phaezel Selepe and Kevin Lobalatang, both doubling in the 100m and 200m, alongside quarter-milers Lee B. Epple and Justice Oratile, who bring impressive sub-45-second credentials into the championships.  In the field events, high jumpers Tswanello Akobe and Taolo Lesole add depth, while Kemorena Tisa...

By Maxwell Kumoye        Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has earned continental recognition after being unveiled by the International Air Transport Association as one of Africa’s four most prominent aviation figures. The announcement was made during a special session at the ongoing IATA Focus Africa Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Alawadhi, praised Keyamo’s leadership, describing Nigeria’s aviation reforms as bold, strategic, and transformative. According to Alawadhi, the recognition was driven by the minister’s policy direction, commitment to international aviation standards, and successful implementation of key industry reforms.  He particularly highlighted Nigeria’s effective administration of the Cape Town Convention and IDERA framework, as well as the country’s impressive 91.4 percent score in ICAO safety oversight audits, a feat th...

...As Sporting Lagos closed in on NNL title after four-star display  By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye       The battle for supremacy in the 2025/2026 Nigeria National League Super 4 took an exciting turn on Wednesday as the two Lagos clubs delivered commanding performances on Matchday 2 at the Remo Stars Stadium. After suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to in their opening game, Inter Lagos responded in emphatic fashion with a convincing 2-0 victory over. The encounter was evenly balanced in the first half, with both teams struggling to break each other down as the game headed into the interval goalless. However, Inter Lagos returned from the break with renewed intensity and got the breakthrough just two minutes into the second half.  Qoyum Akinpelu fired home a powerful effort from inside the box in the 47th minute to hand his side the lead and spark their dominance. The Lagos side continued to pile pressure on Ranchers Bees and were rewarded ag...

...God is truly with us – Chidera Ezeakor  By Maxwell Kumoye in Gaborone         Against the backdrop of early criticism and a shaky start, a youthful and largely home-based Team Nigeria rose to prominence at the World Athletics Relays Championship in Gaborone, delivering a performance that has drawn admiration and renewed belief in the country’s next generation of stars. What began as a difficult campaign quickly transformed into a story of resilience, unity, and undeniable promise.  Written off by some after an unconvincing opening day, the young Nigerian squad responded in emphatic fashion, securing an automatic slot at the maiden World Athletics Ultimate Championship set for Budapest in September. The team also added two more World Championship tickets to their collections – 4×100m and 4×400m mixed relays and 4×100m women. At the heart of this inspiring turnaround were Maria Thompson and Chidera Ezeakor, two athletes who embodied the fi...