Sports Groove

By Maxwell Kumoye   The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Rivers State Chapter, has called on Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara to appoint a new leadership for the State Ministry of Sports and restructure the management of the state's top government-owned clubs ahead of the new sporting season. The resolution was reached during the association's general meeting held on Tuesday at the Ernest Ikoli Press Centre on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt. Speaking after the meeting, Rivers SWAN Chairman, Cyril Dum Wite, expressed concern over the current state of sports administration in the state, insisting that urgent intervention is needed to halt what he described as a steady decline in the sector. "Under the present leadership of the ministry, sports are gradually dying, and stakeholders will not allow the situation to worsen," Wite said. The association also demanded a complete overhaul of the management of Rivers United, Rivers Angels and Rivers Hoopers, arguing that ...

By FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG      The Nigerian basketball community has rallied around prominent basketball promoter and founder of the Mark D'Ball initiative, Igoche Mark, following the death of his mother, Mrs. Oyiba Veronica Mark. Mrs. Mark died peacefully on Monday, June 29, 2026, according to a statement released by the family. Announcing her death with deep emotion, the family said they accepted the loss with faith and submission to the will of God. "With deep sorrow but total submission to the will of Almighty God, the family of Mrs. Oyiba Veronica Mark announces the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend," the statement read. The family paid glowing tribute to the late matriarch, describing her as a woman whose life was defined by faith, love, strength, and compassion.  They noted that her kindness, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to her family and community touched countless lives and would remain her enduring legacy. "Th...

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye   South Sudan secured qualification for the second round of the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers in emphatic fashion after crushing Libya 95-57 in their Group A second-round clash. The Bright Stars produced another dominant all-round display, with Aher Uguak leading the scoring with 15 points, while Kur Kuath, JT Thor and Lol Wur also finished in double figures. South Sudan once again underlined their dominance on the boards, outrebounding Libya 53-34 to extend an impressive streak of 12 consecutive World Cup qualifying games in which they have finished with more rebounds than their opponents.  It was also the fourth straight qualifier in which Africa's highest-ranked team held at least a nine-rebound advantage over their rivals. Their depth was equally evident as the bench contributed 42 points, highlighting the strength of a squad that featured only four players from the team that competed during the first qua...

...New era begins with comeback win as D'Tigers defeat Tunisia ...Fizdale reveals NBA stars keen to Join D'Tigers after Tunisia win ...Delighted with D'Tigers return – Ikenna Iroegbu ...Collective toughness earns victory over Tunisia – Fizdale By Maxwell Kumoye and Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye     Nigeria's senior men's basketball team, D'Tigers, produced a spirited comeback to defeat Tunisia 84-81 in their opening game of the FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers in Angola, with head coach David Fizdale hailing his players' resilience after overcoming a difficult build-up to the contest. The victory was particularly impressive considering the circumstances surrounding Nigeria's preparations, as the newly assembled squad had just one training session and a walkthrough before taking on one of Africa's most experienced teams. "We literally had one practice and one walkthrough," Fizdale told reporters after the game. ...

By FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG      The basketball community across Africa and beyond has paid glowing tributes to Retired Colonel Samuel Ahmedu as the President of FIBA Africa Zone 3 marked his 68th birthday today (Friday). Messages of goodwill have poured in from FIBA officials, national basketball federations, former players and grassroots organisers, all celebrating Ahmedu's immense contribution to the growth of basketball in Nigeria and across West Africa. A retired Colonel of the Nigerian Army, Ahmedu successfully transitioned from military service into sports administration, rising to become President of FIBA Africa Zone 3, the governing body overseeing basketball development in eight West African nations.  He also serves on the FIBA Africa Executive Committee, the continent's highest basketball administrative body. During his tenure, Zone 3 has witnessed significant expansion in basketball activities, with increased competitions, coaching clinics and...

The curtains may have fallen on the sixth edition of the Jordan Nwora Basketball Camp in Ilupeju, Lagos, but the event once again highlighted a troubling reality, Nigeria continues to underutilise its vast basketball talent and potential. That was the verdict of former D'Tigers head coach, Alex Nwora, one of the driving forces behind the prestigious camp, during an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG's Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye. The camp, which concluded on Sunday at the Warriors Basketball Court in Ilupeju, attracted more than 200 young basketball players from different parts of the country, providing them with an opportunity to learn, develop and showcase their skills. However, despite the impressive turnout and abundance of talent on display, Nwora believes the event exposed the failure of Nigeria's basketball authorities to properly develop the game at the grassroots level. "For these kids, it should never be about politics. It...

...As Camp returns to Lagos with growing global influenc By Maxwell Kumoye and Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in El Wak Stadium, Accra    The steady rise of the Jordan Nwora Basketball Camp across Africa and its growing connection with the United States will continue in June as the developmental initiative heads to Ilupeju, Lagos, following successful outings in Monrovia, Liberia and Accra, Ghana. The 2026 edition of the camp is expected to host 120 young players, 60 boys and 60 girls, in a three-day training and mentorship programme scheduled for June 14 to 16. Retired Colonel Sam Ahmedu, who heads the Organising Committee, said the programme has continued to gain momentum because of the impact it is making on young athletes across the continent. The camp’s growing international outlook will also be evident in Lagos, with two coaches from America expected to join the technical crew, further strengthening the bridge between African grassroots basketball and elit...

...As club strengthens basketball legacy   By Maxwell Kumoye        A new leadership team has emerged at the First Lagos Veterans Basketball Club (FLVBB) following the club’s recently concluded elections, ushering in a fresh chapter for one of Nigeria’s most respected veteran basketball organizations. Retired military officer Ayo Odediran was elected President for the 2026–2028 tenure, with John Abosede named Vice President.  Other members of the newly elected executive include Philip Braide as Secretary General, Abiodun Siyanbade as Treasurer, Ayinla Johnson as Chief Whip, Uthman Okunnu as Social Secretary, while Aliyu Jibril will serve as Team Captain. The First Lagos Veterans Basketball Club remains a major force in veteran basketball in Nigeria.  Officially recognized by the Lagos State Sports Commission, the club operates from the iconic Rowe Park Sports Centre and represents Lagos at regional and international veteran basketball compe...

By Maxwell Kumoye     David Fizdale may boast of two NBA championship rings as an assistant coach, but his record as a head coach tells the story of a career that failed to meet expectations at the highest level. Fizdale compiled a disappointing 71-134 win-loss record across 205 regular-season games as head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies and New York Knicks, leaving him with a poor 34.6% winning percentage. After serving as an assistant with franchises including the Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers, Fizdale earned his first head coaching role in Memphis in 2016. His debut season showed promise as he guided the Grizzlies to a 43-39 record and a playoff appearance.  However, the team crashed out in the first round after losing 4-2 in the playoffs. Things quickly went downhill the following season. Memphis managed only 7 wins in 19 games before the franchise dismissed him midway through the campaign. Hoping for a fresh start, the New York ...

By Maxwell Kumoye        FUS Rabat’s resurgence in the Basketball Africa League gathered momentum on Sunday as the Moroccan champions powered past Maktown Flyers 97–72 to secure back-to-back wins in the 2026 Sahara Conference. A year after stumbling out of the gates, FUS Rabat now sits among the conference’s unbeaten sides alongside Club Africain, showing a level of composure and confidence that was missing last season. Abdoulaye Harouna and Will Perry led the charge with a combined 50 points, spearheading a dominant offensive display in front of a packed Moulay Abdellah arena. Maktown Flyers, Nigeria’s representatives, made a bright start, draining early three-pointers to open a 9–2 lead but their momentum quickly faded.  FUS Rabat responded calmly, closing the first quarter ahead 23–19 and never looking back. Their sharp ball movement and deadly perimeter shooting proved decisive, with Perry and Harouna accounting for 11 of the team’s 13 three-poin...

...As NBA and FIBA ambassador Oyedeji lands key IOC athletes’ commission role By Maxwell Kumoye        Nigeria has hit another powerful shot into the heart of global sports governance again as Olumide Oyedeji earns a prestigious seat on the International Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission. In a move that signals rising Nigerian influence, the former NBA center turned administrator steps onto one of the most influential platforms in world sport, representing the World Olympians Association on a 23-member board tasked with shaping the future of athletes worldwide. This is no ceremonial nod, Oyedeji’s appointment is a reward for years of relentless advocacy, championing athlete welfare and pushing for stronger representation both at home and abroad.  From leading the Nigeria Athletes’ Commission to serving as WOA Secretary, his climb has been built on impact, not noise. And Nigeria isn’t stopping at one as table tennis icon Olufunke Oshonaike also j...

By Maxwell Kumoye        Rwanda’s Sports Minister, Nelly Mukazayire, has rallied behind RSSB Tigers ahead of their historic debut at the Basketball Africa League 2026, assuring the team of full government backing as they prepare to represent the nation on the continental stage. The Tigers were drafted into the competition by FERWABA to replace APR BBC in the Kalahari Conference following the latter’s withdrawal two weeks ago.  The conference is scheduled to take place from March 27 to April 5 in Pretoria. Mukazayire, who visited the team’s training camp at Petit Stade on Tuesday, commended the players, coaches, and technical crew for stepping up at short notice to take on the responsibility of flying Rwanda’s flag. “Given the circumstances of the past two weeks, I would like to thank each of the players, the coaches, and the technical team for your flexibility and determination in forming the team we have today,” she said.  “I strongly believe t...

By Maxwell Kumoye and Ayodele Bakare      The storm that trailed FIBA’s much-anticipated verdict on Nigeria’s basketball crisis has given way to an unexpected twist, a fragile but promising unity. What began as outrage among stakeholders over perceived interference in the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) has, within 24 hours, transformed into a moment of clarity and opportunity. The controversial letter, initially slammed as an affront to Nigeria’s basketball constitution, now appears to be a balancing act by FIBA, one designed to steady a fractured system without fully picking sides. At the heart of the ruling is a decisive and vivid reset, FIBA has officially recognized the current NBBF Board’s mandate until October 15, 2026. That single pronouncement changes everything. No more parallel factions, no more legitimacy battles Nigeria now has one unified, 14 member board, including previously sidelined representatives tasked with steering the sport forward...

...As Wakama praises team’s fighting spirit, belief within the squad remains strong By Maxwell Kumoye and Mishael Emmanuel      Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, put up a spirited performance but fell 93–86 to hosts France women's national basketball team in a tightly contested Group A clash at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament on Sunday at the Astroballe. The home side controlled proceedings from the opening minutes, establishing an early lead and maintaining it throughout the game.  Despite several determined surges by Nigeria, France never trailed and eventually closed out the contest with a composed finish. France’s charge was spearheaded by Janelle Salaün, who delivered an impressive performance with 19 points and five rebounds while shooting 6-of-9 from the field and 4-of-7 from beyond the arc.  Valériane Ayayi also made a strong impact, contributing 12 points, six rebounds and recording a team-high ...

By Maxwell Kumoye       The United States women’s national team maintained their perfect record at the 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament with a commanding 93–59 victory over Italy on Saturday. Both sides entered the clash unbeaten at 2–0, but the Americans proved too strong, improving to 3–0 while handing the Italians their first defeat of the competition. Kahleah Copper and Chelsea Gray led the charge for the U.S., combining for 26 points and shooting an efficient 10-of-16 from the field. Gray also orchestrated the offense brilliantly, finishing with a game-high eight assists. Assistant coach Nate Tibbetts, who is leading the team for the remainder of the tournament following head coach Kara Lawson’s return to Duke to prepare for the NCAA Tournament, praised his team’s early intensity. “I thought we came out and set the tone early, and I thought our starting group did a really good job,” Tibbetts said. Copper opened the scoring off a pass from Gr...