Sports Groove

...Finishes fourth at Niger Delta Games ...Elder Paul Bassey, Mrs. Rosemary Ubia, as they rally athletes, reinforcing a renewed culture of professionalism By Maxwell Kumoye        Team Akwa Ibom delivered a statement performance at the second edition of the Niger Delta Games, clinching 55 medals to finish fourth overall in Benin City. The feat is a leap that underscores what many now describe as a full-blown sports renaissance under the stewardship of His Excellency Governor Umo Eno. The Games, held from February 20–27 in Benin City, brought together nine states and over 2,400 athletes in a week-long festival of grit and glory.  For Akwa Ibom, it was more than just another outing, it was proof of steady growth. After placing sixth at the maiden edition in Uyo last year, the state returned stronger, sharper and hungrier.  This time, a 270-athlete contingent, backed by 46 officials and 12 support staff, competed in 16 sports and walked away with: ...

  By Maxwell Kumoye      President of the Cameroonian Football Federation, Samuel Eto'o, delivered a powerful message of hope and reward on Friday night in Yaounde, as teenage footballers were handed life-changing gifts at the FECAFOOT Ballon d’Or ceremony. In a moment that underscored his administration’s commitment to youth development, Eto’o revealed that players aged 18 and 19 were going home not just with trophies, but as land and car owners. “Today, youths aged 18 and 19 are going home as land owners and car owners. We parents know that at times this is the project of a lifetime, buying a piece of land to build,” Eto’o said. The former African Player of the Year described the gesture as a deliberate move to reward excellence and inspire young talents who may sometimes struggle with doubt. “We want to reward excellence and encourage the youth that at times have doubts and ask questions,” he stated, emphasizing that football must provide both inspirat...

...As Thabeet is elected Tanzania Basketball Federation President By Maxwell Kumoye      Former Nigeria Basketball Federation board member Olumide Oyedeji has applauded the emergence of Hasheem Thabeet as President of the Tanzania Basketball Federation, describing it as a turning point for basketball development in the East African nation. Oyedeji, himself a former NBA player, said Thabeet’s election signals a new dawn for Tanzanian basketball and reinforces the growing trend of ex-NBA stars returning home to build the game administratively. “About time for former NBA players to take their talent back home and develop talent,” Oyedeji said, adding that Thabeet’s leadership would bring “more blessings to their country and community.” Former NBA center Hasheem Thabeet was elected President of the Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF), ushering in what many observers describe as a fresh chapter for the sport in the East African nation. The election, conducted in D...

By Maxwell Kumoye        Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses roared back to life on Saturday night, stunning the Super Falcons of Nigeria 1-0 in a high-intensity friendly at the Yaoundé Military Stadium. Preparing steadily for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, the Lionesses have been camped at the Mundi Sports Complex, fine-tuning tactics and sharpening their edge.  But few gave them the nod against their perennial rivals. Nigeria, nine-time African champions and long-time tormentors of Cameroon, arrived as favourites.  Most of Cameroon’s squad, except Lamine Mana, ply their trade locally in the Guinness Super League, a detail that fueled doubts among sections of the fans. Those doubts evaporated under the under intense heat and pressure on Saturday. Roared on by a packed home crowd, Captain Ange Bawou marshalled her side with authority as they matched Nigeria’s physicality and pace stride for stride.  The visitors, led by the lively Bab...