Sports Groove

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye Bayelsa State has continued to emerge as one of the strongest government supporters of scrabble development in Nigeria, with its sustained investment in competitions, grassroots development and elite players earning commendation from the Nigeria Scrabble Federation. For six consecutive years, the state has initiated and supported a national championship that has grown into one of the biggest scrabble competitions in Africa, attracting leading players from across Nigeria and participants from outside the country. The championship has also distinguished itself through its substantial prize purse, with the organisers taking the commitment a step further by doubling the prize money for the next edition. President of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation, Engineer Bright Idahosa, praised Bayelsa State Governor, His Excellency Senator Douye Diri, for his consistent support and passion for the development of the sport. Idahosa described Governor Dir...

...Idubamo Pius leads individual honours as MFM completes another dominant season By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye      MFM Women’s Basketball Club have strengthened their grip on Nigerian women’s basketball, combining another league triumph with a remarkable collection of individual honours that underlined the depth and quality of the Lagos-based side. The victory over First Bank in the Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League Final 8 gave MFM another national championship, but the club left the National Stadium with much more than the major trophy. They walked away with the Most Valuable Player award, the best three-point shooter prize and two places in the Team of the Tournament, among the major individual honours announced at the end of the competition. At the heart of the celebration was Idubamo Pius, whose influential campaign earned her the league’s MVP award. Idubamo capped her impressive tournament with a game-high 19 points in the championship deci...

...“Every bingo, every win Will forever bear your name” – Multiple National Sports Festival champion By FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG      The African Scrabble community mourns with the most decorated Nigerian and African Scrabble champion Tuoyo Mayuku following the passing of her beloved aunt, late Mrs. Sa’adatu Gloria Shittu, who died at the age of 69. In a deeply emotional tribute, Mayuku, the most successful African female Scrabble player of all time, described her late aunt as the woman who not only cared for her, but also played a defining role in shaping her journey as a Scrabble player and as a person. “My beloved Aunty, my Queen-Maker goes home!” Mayuku recalled how her aunt came into her life at a crucial moment, helping her pick up the pieces when her Scrabble journey appeared to be falling apart. “You found me when my Scrabble board was scattered, and picked up my rack when it was thrown away. You shaped me into the better person I am today.” She also ...

By Maxwell Kumoye    Abeokuta witnessed another thrilling display of road-running talent on Saturday as Musa Francis James and Akanbi Aderonke Olufunmilayo captured the men’s and women’s titles at the 2026 Abeokuta 10KM Race. The fifth edition of the competition, organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, brought together competitive runners, fitness enthusiasts and residents in an event that combined elite racing with community participation. Francis James set the pace in the men’s event and held on to finish first in 30:25.33, securing the $1,000 top prize. Ilya Raymond was close behind, recording 30:38.06 to finish second and earn $750, while Gyang Sunday completed the top three in 30:47.00 and took home $500. Akanbi produced the winning performance in the women’s race, stopping the clock at 35:00.69 to secure the women’s title and the corresponding $1,000 prize. Bulus Mary Jah finished 38.02 seconds behind the winner in 35:58.71 to claim second ...

By Maxwell Kumoye      Musa Francis James produced a determined run to claim victory at the 2026 Abeokuta 10KM Road Race, crossing the finish line in 30:25.33 to take the men’s title and the top prize of $1,000. James established himself among the leading runners during the race and maintained his advantage through the closing stages, resisting the challenge from the chasing pack to secure the biggest prize on offer. Ilya Raymond pushed James closest but had to settle for second after recording 30:38.06. His performance earned him $750, while Davwi Gyang Sunday completed the top three in 30:47.00 and collected $500. The result produced a tightly packed finish among the leading athletes, with less than half a minute separating the first three runners. The Abeokuta triumph for James, represents a significant result on a course that tested the athletes’ speed, stamina and ability to maintain their pace over the 10-kilometre distance. The event also provided a com...

  …First Bank awaits them in Zenith Bank League final showdown By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye           MFM Women's Basketball Club have secured their place in the Final of the Zenith Bank Women's Basketball League, at the National Stadium, Lagos, South West, Nigeria. The Yaba side maintained their unbeaten run in the League, defeating Nigeria Customs in a keenly contested match. The Captain of MFM, Okoh Ukamaka, was delighted by her side's outing today, emphasizing that the game was triple A standard. Ukamaka and Co. we're on a rampage from the very first quarter as Nigeria Customs struggled to get their acts together, bringing the scores to 22-11. The 2-time national champions, lost steam in the second quarter, as the Nigeria Customs mounted more pressure, reducing the gap to 35-34. MFM refused to back down turning on the heat in the third and fourth quarters to book their spot in the final, 64-61. Ukamaka and her squad will n...

By Maxwell Kumoye    The stage is set for the fifth edition of the Abeokuta 10km Race, with organisers Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML) assuring athletes and spectators of a safe, seamless and memorable event. The 2026 edition is scheduled for Saturday, October 3, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and is expected to attract more than 3,000 runners, including professional athletes, fitness enthusiasts and members of the public. Speaking at the pre-race press conference at the MKO Abiola Stadium on Friday, NSML Managing Director, Yetunde Olopade, expressed appreciation to the Ogun State Government, sponsors and partners for their continued support of the road race. Olopade specifically acknowledged the contributions of the Ogun State Government, Phlo, Bet9ja Foundation, Aquafina and 7UP, saying their support has been instrumental to the growth of the event. The race will feature an attractive dollar-denominated prize purse, with the overall winner taking home $1,000. T...

…Draws comparison with Morocco-Senegal AFCON controversy By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has challenged the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to annul Edo Queens’ victory over Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa Ladies in the WAFU-B final, questioning why the Nigerian champions should bear the consequences of an error they did not cause. The NFF filed its appeal on September 29 after CAF overturned Edo Queens’ 4-1 penalty-shootout victory and ordered the final to resume from extra time. The September 5 final in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, ended 2-2 after regulation time before the match officials directed both teams into a penalty shoot-out, which Edo Queens won 4-1. The Nigerian side was subsequently declared WAFU-B champion and awarded the zone’s qualification ticket for the CAF Women’s Champions League. However, following a protest from Ampem Darkoa, CAF ruled that the penalty shoot-out should not have taken place b...

...Teamwork is our biggest strength — Captain Okoh Ukamaka By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye , at the National Stadium, Surulere          MFM Basketball Club reaffirmed their status as one of the dominant forces in Nigerian women’s basketball after putting an end to Aso Sky Queens’ unbeaten run on Match Day 3 of the Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League Final 8 Playoffs in Lagos. The result extended MFM’s remarkable unbeaten streak in the league to 17 games, while sending a clear warning ahead of the semifinals, where the two-time national champions will face Nigeria Customs. From the opening tip, MFM looked determined to impose their authority, edging the opening quarter 16-13 before stretching their advantage to 32-27 at the break. Aso Sky Queens refused to back down, staging a spirited fight in the third quarter and reducing the deficit to just three points as the Abuja side threatened to turn the game on its head. But MFM had the stronge...

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye There is no shortcut behind MFM Basketball Club’s sustained success in Nigerian women’s basketball, according to head coach Ochuko Owolabi, who says relentless preparation and a deep understanding among the players have become the foundation of the team’s winning culture. That philosophy was evident on Day 2 of the Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League Final 8 Playoffs in Lagos, where MFM dismantled Titans Basketball Club 79-50 to register one of the most emphatic victories of the day. The 29-point triumph for coach Owolabi, it is merely a reflection of the work that takes place long before the players step onto the court. Speaking exclusively to FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG’s Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye at the National Stadium, Surulere, the coach stressed that MFM does not wait for competitions before preparing. “Training, training, training. We train practically every day. We don’t wait for a tournament before we train,” Owolabi sai...

...Oborevwori, Okpebholo are special guests By Trust Ittai The 8th edition of the Government College Ughelli (GCU) Relays will take centre stage at the 12th National Annual Dinner and Fund-Raising Event of the Government College Ughelli Old Boys Association (GCUOBA) in Benin City. The annual dinner, scheduled to hold at the Cathelea Convention Centre, will use the GCU Relays as a major highlight of the evening as the association intensifies efforts to raise funds for its programmes and projects. The GCU Relays is scheduled to hold on the 14th of November 2026, and will also feature prominently in the fundraising drive, with support already receiving a boost from traditional partner Gamaliel and Susan Onosode Foundation (GAMSU), alongside contributions from notable young and old GCU alumni. Beyond athletics, the relay event is built around a broader objective of promoting interaction among secondary schools and students from different parts of Nigeria, using sport as a plat...

...Manhandle Bayelsa Blue Whales as First Bank return to winning ways By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye and Trust Ittai at National Sports Stadium Former champions MFM Basketball Club made a commanding start to their Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball Premier League Final 8 Playoffs campaign, brushing aside Bayelsa Blue Whales 69-35 at the National Sports Stadium in Lagos. The Yaba-based side wasted little time asserting their authority, taking control from the opening quarter and maintaining their grip on the contest throughout. MFM, who are yet to taste defeat this season, produced another dominant display as they overwhelmed the Bayelsa side by 34 points, underlining their status as one of the teams to beat in the championship decider. First Bank Basketball Club also returned to winning ways, defeating Victoria Queens 68-57 in a game repeatedly disrupted by power outages. The Queens struggled to establish any early rhythm, allowing the Elephant Girls to build the advantag...

By Maxwell Kumoye   Athletic Heat has unveiled a major highlight of its 10th Anniversary Meet, with Nigeria’s national 100m record holder Ajayi Kayinsola set to have the blue-riband sprint event named in his honour. The men’s 100m will be contested as the Ajayi Kanyinsola 100m Showdown when athletes gather at the Yabatech Sports Complex in Lagos on November 7, 2026. For Ajayi, the recognition goes beyond his achievements on the international stage. Yabatech holds an important place in his development as a sprinter, having served as one of the venues where he took his early steps in athletics and produced some of his fastest performances as a young athlete. The Nigerian sprint star returned to the venue for a special unveiling ahead of the anniversary meet and used the occasion to announce a personal contribution towards the growth of athletics. Ajayi will provide cash prizes for the top eight finishers in the men’s 100m, adding an extra incentive for athletes competing ...

By Maxwell Kumoye    Abeokuta is set for another major athletics gathering as more than 3,000 runners have already signed up for the fifth edition of the Abeokuta 10KM Race, scheduled to hold on Saturday, October 3. With some days remaining before the event, the sizeable registration has added to the excitement surrounding the race, which is being organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited. Participants will assemble at Macjob Grammar School, Onikolobo, where the race is scheduled to start at 7am before heading through several parts of the Ogun State capital and finishing at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Kuto. This year's edition will have a distinctly Nigerian character, with organisers opting for an all-domestic field. Only Nigerian athletes will be allowed to compete, placing the spotlight on the country's distance-running talent. While the battle for honours and prize money will remain the central attraction, the event is also expected to generate significa...

By Maxwell Kumoye    Nigeria’s participation at the just-concluded 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, has produced another notable chapter with two members of the national team, Sandra Osarugue Omoruyi and Odey Goodness Ekunke, recognised with major FIDE titles. Omoruyi is now a Woman Candidate Master (WCM), while teenage sensation Ekunke has attained the Candidate Master (CM) title, adding further recognition to two young Nigerian players making their mark on the international chess scene. Their achievements were highlighted as Nigeria concluded its campaign at the 11-round Olympiad, which featured 208 teams in the Open section and 192 teams in the Women’s event.  The titles are particularly significant in the context of the progress both players have made. Ekunke, born in 2011, had already established himself as one of Nigeria’s brightest young players before arriving in Samarkand.  In August, he became the inaugural FIDE World Amateur R...

...Warns against rushing into an election that could be a subject of litigations   By Maxwell Kumoye        Former D’Tigers coach and President of Comets Basketball Club of Lagos, Ayodele Bakare, has raised fresh questions over the legality and constitutional basis of the Nigeria Basketball Federation’s (NBBF) Extraordinary Congress held in Yola, Adamawa State, on September 25. Bakare, who attended the congress as a delegate, made the observations in the second extract of his personal account titled “The Memoirs of a Delegate to the 2026 NBBF Extraordinary Congress.” His comments come after the NBBF Congress approved October 15, 2026 as the date for the elective congress in Abuja, while also constituting seven-member Electoral Committee and three-member Elections Appeals Committees. The federation said 39 of its 44 delegates attended the Yola meeting.  It's noteworthy to mention that 50 is the number of Congress delegates based on the NBBF const...

By Maxwell Kumoye       Cameroon are stepping up efforts to secure the next generation of talent, with a group of promising youngsters from European academies joining the country’s U17 setup for a training camp in Noisy-le-Grand, France. The move reflects the vision of Cameroon Football Federation president Samuel Eto'o to identify and attract talented players eligible to represent the Indomitable Lions at youth level. The latest camp features 25 players drawn from clubs and academies across France, Germany, England, Italy and Spain, giving Cameroon an opportunity to assess a wider pool of talent with potential to contribute to the national teams in the years ahead. Among the goalkeepers are Festus Chelsea of SC Charleroi and Poirier Elangue of Brookehouse, while the defensive group includes players from clubs such as USL Dunkerque, FC Lorient, FC Nantes, Union Berlin, US Orléans and Stockport County. The midfield also boasts notable academy representation, w...

...North Macedonia awaits Nigeria's men in Round 10, women meets Guatemala  By Maxwell Kumoye      Team Nigeria’s men produced another impressive performance at the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, defeating Tunisia 3½–½ in Round 9 on Friday, while the women shared the points with Zambia in a 2–2 draw. The results moved both Nigerian teams to 10 match points after nine rounds of the 11-round competition, setting up another important day of action when Round 10 takes place on Saturday, September 26.  Nigeria’s Open team continued its recovery with a convincing victory over Tunisia. On Board 1, FM Bomo Lovet Kigigha held Tunisia's Mohamed Khalil Abdallah to a draw, while FM Abdulrahman Akintoye Abdulraheem defeated Yacine Barbaria on Board 2. IM Odion Aikhoje added another full point by beating Zoubaier Amdouni, before Odey Goodness Ekunke completed the 3½–½ victory with a win over Hamed Ben Ghanem.  The result was Nigeria's seco...

...Cameroon secured silver as Algeria claimed bronze  By Maxwell Kumoye  Tunisia have been crowned champions of the 2026 CAVB Men’s African Nations Volleyball Championship after defeating Cameroon in the final in Tunis on Friday. The hosts produced a commanding performance to overcome the Indomitable Lions 3-0, with the sets ending 25-22, 25-18, 25-19. The victory sees Tunisia lift the African title on home soil and, crucially, secure Africa’s continental ticket to the men’s volleyball tournament at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.  The championship served as the African qualifier for both the Olympics and the 2027 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Cup.  Cameroon, who had reached the final after defeating Algeria 3-1 in the semifinals, finish the tournament with the silver medal.  Both finalists had already secured qualification for the 2027 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Cup in Poland by reaching the final.  Earlier in the third place matches, Algeri...

George Russell set a dominant pace to end the opening day of practice for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix ‌fastest ahead of runaway championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who completed a one-two at the top of the timesheets for Mercedes. The Briton, who was also quickest in the first session of practice, lapped the 6-km Baku street circuit in one minute, 43.347 seconds during the second hour of running. Italian Antonelli, sidelined by a hydraulics issue in the first session, was a sizeable 0.552 seconds off his teammate’s pace. But the 20-year-old, who leads Russell by 81 points in the ⁠standings after 14 rounds, was heavily compromised on track time, only coming out with less than half an hour of the second session remaining. Four-times champion Max Verstappen, second in the first session, fell back to third at the end of the day, with the Dutchman a whopping 0.827 seconds off Russell’s pace. Ferrari pair Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were fourth and fifth but over a second of...