Sports Groove

  By Mishael Emmanuel    A new chapter has begun for professional wrestling on the continent following the election of fresh leadership for Pro-Wrestling Africa (PWA), with Cameroon’s Emmanuel Ndo emerging as president. The keenly contested election, held on May 2, 2026, at the National Institute for Sports inside the National Stadium Surulere, came immediately after the association’s Annual General Meeting, where delegates reviewed the body’s progress and future direction. Ndo secured victory ahead of Benin Republic’s Mayor Sourou Germain Wanvoegbe, who was subsequently elected as 1st Vice President.  Morocco’s Mohamed Amadel clinched the 2nd Vice President position, while Nigeria’s Olusesan Olukoya retained his role as Secretary General. The elections marked the end of an era under outgoing president Sharp Moabi, who stepped down after completing his tenure and relocating to the United States, opting not to seek a third term. Other positions saw a diver...

By Maxwell Kumoye    Nigerian sprinter James Taiwo Emmanuel has described his outing at the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone as a defining moment in his young career, highlighting both the challenges and valuable lessons gained on the global stage. Competing against some of the world’s best relay teams, Taiwo Emmanuel admitted the experience pushed him beyond his limits and exposed him to the intensity required at elite international competitions. “Running at that level opened my eyes to what it truly takes to compete with the best,” he said. “The atmosphere, the pressure, and the quality of athletes were on another level, but it has motivated me to work even harder.” The sprinter noted that beyond the races themselves, the championship offered him an opportunity to learn from seasoned athletes and refine his approach to training and competition. “I’ve taken a lot from this experience, discipline, race strategy, and mental strength. It’s not just about speed; it’...

By Maxwell Kumoye and Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye       An influential member of the victorious Team Nigeria to the World Athletics Relays Championship in Botswana, Rosemary Nwankwo, has described her precious ticket to the World Athletics Championships as a major milestone. She stated that competing on such a grand stage and securing the ticket to the World Championship are one of the best things to ever happen to her in athletics. She made this public in an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG's editor, Maxwell Kumoye in Gaborone, Botswana on Sunday. To achieve this milestone, Rosemary Nwankwo, had to overcome some hurdles within the team, that of not handling the baton properly could have hampered their ability to succeed. “I feel so good because this is my first biggest tournament since I started athletics and I'm so grateful to God. “What happened here yesterday (Saturday) is nobody's fault, but thank God we had another opportunity...

...Zambia's Samukonga confirmed for Accra 2026 as Simbine pulls out    By Maxwell Kumoye        Nigerian superstar and world record holder, Tobi Amusan has confirmed her participation at the African Senior Athletics Championship billed to open in Ghana on May, 12, 2026. The 100mH speedster is expected to lead a star-studded 51 member Nigerian team for the Championship in Accra spanning May 12-17, at the Legon Sports Stadium. Amusan, a specialist in the 100m hurdles is the current world record holder in the 100 metres hurdles with a time of 12.12 seconds, which she set at the 2022 women's 100 metres hurdles semi-final in Eugene. Amusan, who also competes as a sprinter is also the current Commonwealth and African champion in the 100m hurdles. Amusan became the first ever Nigerian world champion and world record holder in an athletics event when she won the 2022 World Championships 100m hurdles gold medal, setting the current world record of 12.12 ...

...As Harrison mines men’s Gold By Maxwell Kumoye      Nigeria once again underlined its dominance on the continental stage, clinching a record-extending 15th African women’s wrestling title at the African Wrestling Championships in Alexandria, Egypt. The Nigerian women delivered a commanding performance, securing eight gold and two silver medals from the 10 events to comfortably emerge overall champions.  It was a statement of intent from a team that has consistently set the standard in African wrestling. Building on a strong opening day that yielded four gold medals, the second day began with Mercy Genesis continuing the momentum.  The Commonwealth champion overwhelmed Tunisia’s Chahrazed Ayachi 6-0 to ignite another wave of victories. Adijat Idris followed suit in the 55kg category, dominating Lobna Ichaoui of Tunisia with an 8-0 win.  The gold rush continued as Esther Asaolu brushed aside Egypt’s Mariam Mosbeh 10-0 in the 59kg division. One ...

... Still in the mix for more tickets  By Maxwell Kumoye  Against the backdrop of late withdrawals and a largely home-based squad, Team Nigeria’s youthful quartet delivered a spirited performance to book a place in the final of the mixed 4x100m relay at the World Championships in Gaborone, Botswana. The team, comprising Favour Ashe, Jennifer Chukwuka-Obi, Chidera Ezeakor, and Maria Thompson—clocked an impressive 40.24 seconds in the semi-finals, finishing among the top contenders to progress. Their effort not only secured a spot in Sunday’s final but also guaranteed Nigeria qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in China. In the process, the Nigerian team rewrote their own African record, underlining their growing stature on the global stage despite the challenges faced ahead of the competition. The semi-final race was fiercely contested, with Canada storming to victory in a time of 40.07 seconds. Germany followed closely in 40.15 seconds, while t...

By Maxwell Kumoye      The Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) has thrown its weight behind the nomination of Hassan Olojoku Abdulrafiu for the position of National Youth Coach, citing his impressive track record in grassroots development and youth excellence. Olojoku, who currently serves as North Central Youth Coordinator of the federation and Kwara State Youth Coach, has built a reputation as one of the country’s most effective youth trainers.  His tenure in Kwara has been marked by sustained dominance at the National Youth Games, where his players have consistently delivered multiple gold medals, reinforcing the state’s status as a powerhouse in youth scrabble. Beyond the domestic scene, his athletes have made significant impressions internationally, representing Nigeria at the World Youth Scrabble Championship and securing podium finishes at the African Youth Scrabble Championship. These achievements, according to the federation, underline his ability ...

By Maxwell Kumoye    Nigeria delivered a commanding performance on the opening day of the African Senior Wrestling Championships in Alexandria, sweeping four gold medals in the women’s events and setting an early tone in their quest for continental dominance. Leading the charge was reigning African champion Esther Kolawole, who put on a masterclass in the 62kg category.  She overwhelmed South Africa’s Katelyn Swan with a 10-0 superiority victory, securing her fifth African title in emphatic fashion. Nigeria’s golden run began earlier in the 53kg division, where Christianah Ogunsanya claimed top honours after defeating Ivory Coast’s Nogona Bakayoko 7-1.  The momentum continued as Jumoke Adekoye triumphed in the 57kg category, dispatching Algeria’s Achouak Tekouk 8-4. In the 73kg division, Hannah Ojo showcased tactical brilliance to outwit Cameroon’s Pelagie Wilita 3-1, sealing Nigeria’s fourth gold medal of the day and reinforcing the team’s ambitions of s...

...As Nigeria ambassador in Egypt hails dominant start in Alexandria By Maxwell Kumoye      Nigeria’s charge for continental wrestling dominance gathered momentum on Friday in Alexandria as the country’s contingent impressed on Day 1 of the senior events at the African Wrestling Championships in Alexandria This stellar performance is already drawing high praise from the nation’s diplomatic corps in Egypt. Nigeria’s Ambassador to Egypt, Musa Dauda, could not hide his excitement after witnessing a string of commanding performances in the qualifying rounds, where Team Nigeria powered into four finals with the prospect of more to come. The Nigerian wrestlers dominated their bouts with authority, underlining their ambition to retain their continental crown, particularly in the women’s category and push toward a historic 15th African title.  Their display left the ambassador visibly impressed, especially given the level of competition from host nation Egypt. “T...