Sports Groove

By Maxwell Kumoye   Nigeria enjoyed another productive outing at the Commonwealth Games athletics competition on Wednesday as sprinters Jennifer Obi Chukwuka and Olayinka Olajide qualified for the women's 200m semi-finals, while Chukwuebuka Enekwechi booked his place in the men's shot put final. Chukwuka was impressive in Heat 4 of the opening round, producing a personal best of 23.26 seconds to win the race and secure automatic qualification for the semi-finals. Canada's Marie-Eloise Leclair finished second in 23.50, while The Gambia's Nyimansata Jawneh claimed the third automatic qualifying spot with 23.74. In Heat 5, Olajide also progressed after finishing third in 23.62 seconds behind Jamaica's Lavanya Williams, who won the race in 22.91, and Singapore's Veronica Shanti Pereira, whose season's best 23.00 earned her second place. The performances ensured Nigeria will have two representatives in the women's 200m semi-finals as they continue...

...Three males and two females seek places in the sprint finals By Maxwell Kumoye      Team Nigeria's athletics contingent will be in action across the track and field on Tuesday at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with several medal hopefuls and sprint stars looking to make significant progress in their respective events. The day's action begins with the women's 400 metres first round, where Patience Okon George will compete in Heat 2 from lane six. The experienced quarter-miler heads into the race with a season's best of 51.41 seconds as she seeks qualification for the semi finals. Fellow Nigerian Esther Elo Joseph will feature in Heat 3, running from lane two. Joseph boasts a season's best of 50.97 seconds and will be aiming to secure one of the automatic qualification spots. Nigeria's sole representative in the men's 400 metres heat, Edidiong Udo, will line up in Heat 1 from lane four. With a season's best of 44.91 seconds, Udo wil...

By Maxwell Kumoye      The athletics competition at the 23rd Commonwealth Games will officially get underway on Monday, July 27, with Team Nigeria's stars set to begin their quest for medals in Glasgow, Scotland. Nigeria's athletes will feature prominently in the morning session across the track and field events, with sprinting, hammer throw and para-athletics all on the schedule. The day's action begins at 10:10 a.m. with the men's 100m first round, where current national Favour Ashe lines up in Heat 1 from Lane 4.  Ashe enters the race with a season's best of 9.93 seconds achieved at the Commonwealth Games Trials in Lagos June and will be among the favourites to progress. Later in the same event, Fakorede Adekalu will represent Nigeria in Heat 10, running from Lane 3 with a season's best of 9.98 seconds, as Team Nigeria looks to have both sprinters advance to the next round. At 11:40 a.m., attention shifts to the field as experienced thrower Oyesad...

  By Maxwell Kumoye      Nigeria's Ruth Asuquo Nyong delivered an impressive performance to secure the country's first weightlifting medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, clinching the silver medal in the women's 48kg event. Nyong lifted a combined total of 168kg to finish second behind India's Mirabai Chanu Saikhom, who successfully defended her title with a commanding total of 190kg to claim the gold medal. Malaysia's Irene Jane Henry completed the podium after recording 167kg, just one kilogram behind the Nigerian, to settle for bronze in a closely contested battle for the silver medal. Jo-Beth Deireragea finished fourth with 161kg, while Tammy Wong placed fifth on 160kg. Nikole Roberts ended sixth with 154kg, Alex Mackay lifted 142kg for seventh, and Janet Atieno Oduor finished eighth with 133kg. Upamalika Jambulliye Gamladdalage was unable to complete the competition while Thelma Mea Toua did not make the final standings. Nyong's silv...

By Maxwell Kumoye      The Nigeria Wrestling Federation's commitment to developing athletes has received another major boost after three Nigerian female wrestlers secured scholarship transfers to the prestigious Iowa State University in the United States. Kolawole Esther, Christinah Ogunsanya, and Adekoye Jumoke have moved from William Penn University, an NAIA institution, to Iowa State University, one of the top NCAA Division I wrestling programmes in the United States. Reacting to the milestone, Nigeria's women's wrestling head coach, Akuh Purity, praised the President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, for his unwavering support and investment in the sport, describing the development as a reward for years of strategic planning and international exposure. Purity said the athletes' transfer marks a defining moment in both their academic and sporting careers, as NCAA Division I represents the highest level of collegiate competit...

  By Maxwell Kumoye    Nigeria's leading scrabble players and some of West Africa's finest wordsmiths will gather in Yenagoa next weekend for the sixth edition of the Governor Douye Diri National Scrabble Classic, where a record prize pool of nearly ₦20 million awaits competitors. Recognised as one of the flagship events on the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) calendar, the championship is sanctioned by the World English Scrabble Players Association (WESPA) and the Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA). It will take place on August 1 and 2, 2026. The opening rounds will be played at Matho Crystal Hotel on Imiringi Road, while the finals and closing ceremony are scheduled for the DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall at the Bayelsa State Government House. Governor Douye Diri, the tournament's chief host and Special Guest of Honour, is expected to attend the closing ceremony alongside members of the Bayelsa State Executive Council. According to the Chair...

...As Cameroon also wins on Day 4 in Alexandria By Maxwell Kumoye      Team Nigeria continued their impressive run at the 2026 CAVB African U-18 Boys' Volleyball Championship with a dominant 3-0 victory over Burundi on Day 4 of the competition in Alexandria, Egypt. The Nigerians were in complete control throughout the encounter, defeating Burundi 25-16, 25-11, 25-16 to register their third consecutive victory of the tournament. It was another commanding display from the Nigerian youngsters, who combined powerful attacking play with solid blocking and disciplined defending to maintain their unbeaten record. Nigeria began their campaign with a straight-sets win over Morocco before stunning hosts Egypt 3-1 in their second match.  The latest triumph over Burundi keeps them firmly on course, it also strengthens their status as one of the tournament favourites. In the day's other match, Cameroon recorded a convincing 3-0 victory over Algeria in a Group B encoun...

  By Maxwell Kumoye     Team Nigeria's hopes of winning a boxing medal at the ongoing 23rd Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, suffered another major setback on Saturday night as David Akintola crashed out in the opening round of the men's 80kg event. Akintola, regarded as one of Nigeria's brightest prospects in the ring, was beaten 4-1 by Tanzania's Yusef Lucasi Changalewa in their Round of 32 contest at the SEC Centre. Akintola struggled to impose himself throughout the contest as Changalewa dictated the pace with sharper combinations, better movement and cleaner scoring punches.  The Tanzanian repeatedly found openings with well-timed attacks, leaving the Nigerian chasing the fight for long spells.  By the end of the three rounds, the judges overwhelmingly favoured Changalewa 4-1, underlining the Tanzanian's superiority on the night. The victory sent Changalewa through to the Round of 16, where he will face Kenya's Robert Okaka. The defeat le...

...Advance to the knockout stage with a game to spare    By Maxwell Kumoye    Nigeria's U-18 boys volleyball team continued their impressive campaign at the 2026 CAVB African Nations U18 Volleyball Championship with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over hosts Egypt in Alexandria on Friday. The Nigerian side extended its unbeaten run in the tournament after following up Wednesday's commanding 3-0 win over Morocco with another dominant display against one of the competition's strongest teams. Nigeria made a bright start by taking the opening two sets 25-20 and 25-16 to put the hosts under pressure.  Egypt with home fans backing them, responded strongly to claim the third set 25-22, raising hopes of a comeback before the Nigerian youngsters regained control in the fourth set, sealing a 25-21 victory to wrap up the contest. The victory underlines Nigeria's growing confidence in the championship and it secures them a place in the knockout stage with a game to sp...

By Maxwell Kumoye    Author Aderemi Ogunsuyi has released Living in America, a memoir that offers an intimate and thought-provoking account of immigration, resilience, identity and the pursuit of a better life. The book chronicles Ogunsuyi's personal journey of leaving his homeland for the United States, detailing the sacrifices, cultural adjustments and emotional challenges that shaped his path to building a new life while remaining connected to his roots. Described as more than a personal memoir, Living in America reflects the experiences of countless immigrants who have had to navigate unfamiliar environments, embrace change and overcome adversity in search of new opportunities. The memoir is divided into seven chapters, each highlighting a significant turning point in the author's journey, from departing the familiar with hope and uncertainty to adapting to a fast-paced society with its own unspoken rules before eventually finding a place to call home. Through ...

By Maxwell Kumoye  Nigerian athletes who excelled at the 11th Okpekpe International 10km Road Race have received their prize money, with organisers confirming that all payments were completed after the mandatory international anti-doping procedures. The cash rewards, sponsored by Oceanwaves Security Limited through its Chief Executive Officer, Peter Dunia, amounted to ₦3 million for each men's and women's champion, ₦2 million for the runners-up, and ₦1 million for the third-place finishers. Dunia had presented ceremonial cheques to the winners shortly after the race in May, while the actual payments were processed once the anti-doping clearance required for World Athletics-sanctioned events was finalised. According to the organisers, the announcement was made to publicly acknowledge the achievements of Nigerian runners and reinforce the race's commitment to rewarding homegrown talent. They also noted that local athletes enjoy additional support during the event,...

...Jessica Oji, Jami Schlueter boost Team Nigeria's Commonwealth Games ambition Team Nigeria will parade a formidable 29-member athletics contingent at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, as the country intensifies its quest for medals on one of the biggest multi-sport stages in the Commonwealth. The athletics team comprises 16 female and 13 male athletes, blending experienced campaigners with exciting young talents expected to make their mark in Glasgow. Among the notable names are world record holder Tobi Amusan, red hot sprinter, Kanyinsola Ajayi, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, Rosemary Chukwuma, Favour Ashe, Patience George, Ezekiel Nathaniel, Temitope Adeshina, Esther Joseph, Blessing Ogundiran, and rising stars Jessica Oji and Jami Schlueter, who recently switched their sporting allegiance to represent Nigeria. The inclusion of the two young athletes has been described as a significant boost for the country's athletics programme. Athletics Federation of ...

By Maxwell Kumoye      Former Nigerian national squash champion Moses Olubo has embarked on a groundbreaking multi-continental motorcycle expedition aimed at raising global awareness about mental health while setting a unique world first. The 1980s Nigerian squash champion is riding a Can-Am Spyder three-wheeled motorcycle from the United States to his hometown of Kaduna, Nigeria, under the campaign theme "ARideForLife."  The ambitious journey is dedicated to his son, who is living with mental illness, and seeks to challenge the stigma surrounding mental health while encouraging open conversations and support for affected families. Olubo's expedition is believed to be the first attempt by any rider to cross the African continent from north to south on a Can-Am Spyder platform.  While similar overland adventures have been completed on conventional two-wheeled motorcycles, none has been undertaken using the three-wheeled touring machine. The remarkable...

...Nigeria and 13 other countries land in Egypt  By Maxwell Kumoye        Participating countries for the 2026 African U-18 Volleyball Championship for boys and girls have started arriving in Alexandria ahead of the continental tournament, which will run until July 30 at the Pioneers Club in Alexandria, Egypt. The championship will feature some of Africa's brightest young volleyball talents, with countries including hosts Egypt, Nigeria, Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Cameroon, Senegal and Burundi among the participants. President of the Local Organising Committee, MP Aida Ismail, revealed that 14 national teams have already arrived, while the remaining delegations are expected over the coming days before (today) Tuesday's official draw, which will determine the tournament fixtures. Team Nigeria left for the Championship on Sunday after a one intensive camping program at the High Performance Centre. The competition will officially get underway on ...

By Maxwell Kumoye    Head coach of Nigeria's men's volleyball team, Taiwo Oladipupo, has expressed confidence that the country can finish on the podium at the 2026 African Nations Cup in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, provided the team receives adequate preparation. Oladipupo spoke after Nigeria secured qualification for the continental championship at the CAVB Zone 3 qualifiers in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, saying the team's performances have reinforced his belief that they can compete with Africa's best. The coach stressed that proper preparation, including international friendly matches and a training tour, would be vital to Nigeria's medal aspirations in September. "With good preparation, I believe we are set to finish on the podium, and that is why I am optimistic that we will make Nigeria proud," Oladipupo said. Reflecting on the quality of opposition at the qualifiers, the coach described the tournament as highly competitive, n...

...Confirms Nigeria and Ghana double qualification, Burkina Faso also gets a slot  By Maxwell Kumoye        President of the Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) Zone 3, Ali Yaro, has praised the successful staging of the 2026 African Nations Cup Zone 3 Qualifiers in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. The Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) Zone 3 Boss described the tournament as a major milestone for volleyball development in the region. Speaking at the closing ceremony, Yaro commended Côte d'Ivoire for successfully hosting the regional championship for the first time, saying it marked a positive step forward despite the challenges many countries face in organising international sporting events. "This is the first time Côte d'Ivoire has hosted an event like this, and it is a very positive development for the competition," Yaro said.  "In our countries, we do not always have enough support to organise competitions like this. Therefore, I want ...

By Maxwell Kumoye        Nigeria's sprint sensation Kayinsola Ajayi has declared himself ready for the 2026 Commonwealth Games after storming to victory in the men's 100 metres at the London Diamond League on Saturday. The 21-year-old produced another outstanding performance, clocking 9.84 seconds to defeat reigning world champion Oblique Seville of Jamaica, who settled for second in 9.87 seconds, while Great Britain's Romell Glave finished third in a personal best of 9.97 seconds. Fresh from one of the biggest wins of his career, Ajayi said he executed his race plan perfectly and is now looking forward to carrying the same form into the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where athletics begins on July 23. "I just came out here and did what I had to do… I'm happy; I got the job done," Ajayi told Olympics.com after his impressive victory. The Nigerian speedster credited his explosive start for making the difference against a world-class field. "I g...

 By Maxwell Kumoye     Nigeria's men's volleyball team completed an unbeaten campaign at the Zone 3 Qualifiers in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, with a commanding straight-sets victory over Burkina Faso. The Nigerians wrapped up the final match 3-0, winning 25-17, 25-23 and 25-22 to cap a flawless tournament performance. The team was in imperious form throughout the qualifiers, recording victories over Niger Republic, hosts Côte d'Ivoire, Togo, Benin Republic and Burkina Faso.  Nigeria dropped only three sets across all five matches, underlining their dominance in the regional competition. Their impressive run earned them one of the qualification tickets to the 2026 African Nations Cup finals scheduled for September in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At the continental championship, Nigeria will battle Africa's best teams for the coveted Nations Cup title and a place at the 2028 Olympic Games. The commanding display in Abidjan highlights Nigeria's gro...

By Maxwell Kumoye  The Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) has unveiled a 21-player squad for the 2026 World Youth Scrabble Championship scheduled to take place from August 7 to 9 at the Trademark Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. Nigeria heads into the tournament with high hopes, banking on a blend of proven champions and emerging talents as the country seeks to make a strong statement against the world's best young wordsmiths. The team will be spearheaded by 2025 World Best Female Player, Sophia Ebube Ekeruche, alongside Abdulqodus Aliu, who came agonisingly close to claiming the world title in his category last year. Also named in the squad are several highly rated players, including Khalid Olosun, Yusuf AbdulSalam, Roseline Emelike, and the talented Onazi siblings—Saviour, Salvation and Triumph.  Other notable names include Samuel Emelike, Victoria Chukwuemeka, Olamide Hassan, Khalifa Bello, Matilda Wilcox, Chosen Johnson, Victor Ayanwale, Farzana Kaka, Aneef Kelani, Abidah Fatai, Co...

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye    Head Coach of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Solomon Aliyu, has expressed strong confidence in Team Nigeria's preparedness for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, revealing that the athletics team is already 95 percent ready for the multi-sport event. Speaking in an exclusive interview with First Zealmediacast Blog's Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye from Aberdeen, Scotland, where the athletes are undergoing their final phase of preparations, Aliyu said everything has gone according to plan and the squad is in excellent condition ahead of the Games. According to the veteran coach, the athletes currently in camp earned their places through merit and recent performances, making up Nigeria's strongest team across the various track and field events. "Team Nigeria is about 95 percent ready for the Games. The athletes are already in Aberdeen for the final phase of preparations before the competition begins, ...

By Trust Ittai and Mishael Emmanuel        The excitement of the FIFA World Cup has extended beyond the football pitch, with parents across Latin America naming their newborns after some of the tournament's biggest stars. In Peru, Norway striker Erling Haaland has emerged as one of the biggest inspirations for new parents, despite Peru failing to qualify for the World Cup.  According to Peru's civil registry (RENIEC), hundreds of babies have been named after the prolific forward, while football icons Lionel Messi, Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo each have around 30,000 name registrations. RENIEC spokesperson Ivan Torres summed up the craze by saying: "Haaland is now Peruvian too." He added that one newborn was even named "Mundial," the Spanish word commonly used for the World Cup. Norway's impressive run to the quarter-finals and the popularity of Haaland have earned the Scandinavian nation a large following across Latin America, particularly among fans who...