Sports Groove

...It's an honour to represent Nigeria ...Heaps praises on AFN President, Chief Tonobok Okowa By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye who was in Shagamu for the National Trials           A key of member Team Nigeria's contingent to the Confederation to the forthcoming 3rd edition of the Confederation of Africa Athletics, (CAA) U-18/U-20 Championships, Success Oyibu is very confident in Nigeria's ability to excel at the event. She made her thoughts known in an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG'S Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye. She explained that due to the camping put together by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, the team has helped her and other athletes to sharpen their skills, either our starting or finishing a race and for some it's perfecting their throws. She went on to explain that she will do everything within her power to make Nigeria proud at the championships, bringing glory and honour to the Giants of Africa. “...

...Nigeria scrabble amazon, Bukunmi Afolayan adds another diadem to her collection  By Mishael Emmanuel and Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos          It was all joy for Delta State Emmanuel Umujose as he showed great determination and skill to win the 5th edition of the highly esteemed Emmanuel Egbele Annual Scrabble Tournament (EEAST), tagged Quinta Essentia.   Umujose who was 4th after round 12, qualified for the semi-finals by a finger-breadth, and from then there was no stopping him as he scaled to the top of one of the most prestigious and coveted titles in the Nigerian circuit the Emmanuel Egbele Annual Scrabble Tournament (EEAST), held at the alluring and captivating Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, South-West, Nigeria over the weekend.   6th seed Umujose, caught the semi-finals ticket after securing 8 wins, after round 12 with a cumulative of +525. Timi Olaita...

...Heaps praises on Governor Abdulrazaq for re-engineering sports in the State By Maxwell Kumoye        The Executive Chairman of Kwara State Sports Commission (KSSC), Mallam Bolakale Adisa Mogaji, is pleased with the attention sports is receiving in the State under the stewardship of Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq. Mallam Bolakale Adisa Mogaji, told the media in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital that His Excellency Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, has given life and re-engineered the sports sector and has opened the door for corporate bodies to key in. “The successes achieved in the sports sector are down to Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq led administration’s constant support through adequate and timely funding of critical projects and events.” Bolakale Adisa Mogaji, a former national number one squash player made this submission while receiving the Sports Development Stabilizer Award from the publisher of Symbol Magazine and Kwara Alert, at the George Innih Stad...

      The Academies' basketball tournament, hosted by FIBA Africa Zone 3, continued on the second day with the President of the zone, Col. Sam Ahmedu (Retd) emphasising on the importance of integrity over the relentless pursuit of victory in developmental programme. In a heart-warming moment mid-way through the day, Col. Samuel was celebrated by friends, executives from the A's Ahmedu Foundation, members of the Warriors Academy, and basketball officials in honour of his birthday. The results for Day 2, Sunday, July 06 2025  Impression (4 - 7) Amazon (Female)   McSpencer (10 - 7) Anjorin (Female)   Taba 6 - 18 Victoria Queens (Female)   Anjorin 2 - 20 Impression (Female)   O’Connell (27 - 9) LeoKarem   McSpencer (11 - 13) Amazon (Female)   Beavers (15 - 9) Hoopsdream   Vedione (3 - 27) Raptors   LeoKareem (9 - 17) Maktown   LionDen (2 - 13) O’Connell   ...

...Appeals to the media to help disseminate, it's drug awareness advocacy programs By Maxwell Kumoye with additional report by AFN Media Hub     The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), has distanced itself from the current two year ban handed Imaobong Nse Uko by the Integrity Unit of World Athletics for doping violations for committing three whereabouts failures within a 12-month period a violation of anti-doping regulations. The AFN, explained that the whereabout filling is the responsibility of any elite athlete, “Athletes are required to provide the following whereabouts information on a quarterly basis.” ✓ Home address ✓ Email address ✓ Phone number ✓ An address for overnight accommodations, regular activities, such as training, work, and school, the locations and the times of these activities. The Federation stated that her failure to do the needful is the reason why she was handed a two years ban which expires in July 2026. “Athletes are role models and t...

...Selected athletes for Team Nigeria to begin camping in Shagamu  By Maxwell Kumoye and Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Shagamu      In a bid to get members of Team Nigeria to the forthcoming CAA U-18/U-20 Championships in Abeokuta, Ogun State, South-West, Nigeria fully ready and fit for the big task ahead, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), has fashioned out a special diet routine for the team. The carefully selected meals that will aid the young athletes will be offered during the team's camping which begins today in Shagamu after the national trials ended on Tuesday. We gathered that the Athletics Federation of Nigeria will keep a close mark on the contingent's stay in camp in order to get them ready for the competition. Meanwhile, about 12 events were decided on the final day of the CAA U-18/U-20 national trials on Tuesday with Gafar Badmus winning the U-20 men's 400m title under poor weather conditions. Badmus's 45.78s was fast and good...

...We will thrill fans, basketball is not just a game; it’s entertainment - Opeyemi Babalola, CEO Webber Engineering  ...NOA president, Olumide Oyedeji, to support tournament  By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye           Highly esteemed, Nigerian basketball equipment brand, Webber Floors and Hoops, has been named as sponsors the maiden edition of the FIBA Africa Zone 3 Academies Tournament. The distinguished basketball brand, widely known for their stunning hoops and courts is to furnish and light up the grassroot tournament with a breathtaking blend of sport and entertainment. This development was made public in a press statement, made available to your authoritative and award-winning news channel, Sports Groove on Monday. Webber Floors and Hoops will be decorating the tournament with branded match balls, a state-of-the-art playing floor, scoreboard, and a 24-second shot clock. The tournament put together by the president, FIBA...

...Finals dunk off today by 2pm at the Dolphins basketball court  By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye           The Finals of the 2025 Olumide Oyedeji Intercollegiate 3×3 Basketball Championship proudly sponsored by the Olumide Oyedeji Youth Foundation dunk off today, Sunday, at the Dolphins Basketball Court, Mamgoro Bus Stop, Onipetesi, Lagos State, South-West, Nigeria. 18 institutions across Nigeria will be slamming and dunking for the highly esteemed 'Intercollegiate 3×3 King' title. Heading the list of teams in the Finals are the basketball addicts from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, who are yet to taste the pain of defeat at the championship. Ahmedu Bello University is closely followed by the B-ball Buffs from University of Osun, Oshogbo, Osun State, who dropped only once, to the experienced basketers from Zaria. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, are in third spot winning only two of their games. Ladoke Akinto...

FIBA Africa Zone 3 has appointed Believe Entertainment & More as the Digital Marketing Company for the upcoming FAZ3 Academies Tournament. The Tournament is scheduled to take place in Lagos from July 4 to 8, 2025. The President of FIBA Africa Zone 3, Retired Colonel Sam Ahmedu made this development public at the weekend in Lagos. Ahmedu, a very seasoned sports administrator noted that the appointment was based on the company’s impressive track record in digital marketing within the Nigerian sports industry.  He emphasized that Believe Entertainment & More will be responsible for creating and executing strategic online campaigns to boost awareness, attract sponsorship, and drive audience engagement for the tournament. “Believe Entertainment & More has demonstrated a strong background in digital marketing, particularly through the success of its FGI Fury 1V1 Basketball Championship Series,” Ahmedu stated during a media briefing in Lagos.  “Their role will...

...Records second win in semi-finals playoffs over United Generation ...We have to keep the fire burning, keep the spirit up, stay focused, ready - Ogoh Odaudu  By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye with additional agency report          Rwanda Energy Group Basketball Club admiringly called REG put one foot into the finals of the 2025 Rwanda Basketball League on Sunday with a 12 point margin win over United Generation Basketball Club. REG managed by experienced Nigeria born coach, Ogoh Odaudu, took complete control of their destiny with a 15 points lead at halftime 55-40. REG maintained the 15 points advantage into the final ten minutes of the game with United Generation Basketball winning the fourth quarter, but it was too little too late as ended 96-84 in favour of REG. Full-time score 27-26, 28-14, 21-21, 20-23. A very elated Coach Ogoh Odaudu told FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG , that the team translated out the game plan well but not to perf...

...We will not lift our feet off the pedal in game 2 - Odaudu ...As Patriots gave their domestic rivals APR a reality check By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye and Maxwell Kumoye with additional report by NTR       Nigeria born coach of Rwanda Energy Group Basketball Club, Ogoh Oduadu, started the best of five games league playoffs semi finals matchup with a win. REG took Game 1 of the semifinals playoffs, beating UGB 82-74 courtesy of a stellar performance from Cleveland Thomas Jr who dropped 33 points in the win. After the game, coach Ogoh Odaudu had this to say in an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG's Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye. “We didn't end game 1 properly, so it was a concern for me, I'm hoping we're going to come and clean it up today and do a better job in the third and fourth quarter than we did in the first game, but all in all, we are happy with the first game, hopefully we'll do better today and make it 2-0.” Odaudu,...

...State Government settles all match bonuses, allowance as team continues its final presentations ...We will fire on all cylinders - Forward, Alalade  By Maxwell Kumoye and Saheed Abdullahi    Players and officials of one of the 2025 finalists of the Federation Cup - Kwara United Football Club are smiling from ear to ear because their outstanding match allowances and bonuses have been settled ahead of the crucial game. The State Government under the stewardship of His Excellency, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, approved the payment and disbursement of their outstanding match allowances and bonuses before the team left for Lagos for the final of the President Federation Cup. Kwara United have a date to keep with Abakaliki United of Ebonyi State in the final scheduled to hold at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos State, South-West, Nigeria on the 28th of this month. Meanwhile, the Executive Chairman of Kwara State Sports Commission (KSSC), Mallam Bolakale Adisa Mog...