Z-PRO MEDIA

...It's a valuable platform for identifying athletes – NSC DG Olopade  By Maxwell Kumoye     The inaugural RIYE Under-15 Athletics Championship lived up to its promise of discovering the next generation of sporting talents, with a host of young athletes delivering outstanding performances at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Kuto, Abeokuta, South West, Nigeria. Among the standout performers were 14-year-old Olufunmilayo Kuku of Muslim Girls High School, Ijebu-Ode, and 13-year-old Sodiq Olaniyi of Luba Comprehensive High School, Ijebu-Ode, who dominated the track events to emerge as the stars of the one-day championship. Kuku was the undisputed princess of the girls' competition, producing a remarkable triple-gold performance by winning the 100 metres, 200 metres and the 100 metres relay.  She also recorded a new personal best in the sprint finals, further establishing herself as one of Nigeria and Ogun State's most promising young athletes. Her exceptional e...

  By Mishael Emmanuel  Botswana's next generation of athletics stars departed for Mauritius on Monday ahead of the 2026 Southern African Confederation of Athletics (SACA) Under-18 and Under-20 Championships, scheduled to take place from June 5 to 7. The youthful squad will represent the country against some of the region's most promising athletes as they seek to make their mark on the international stage and continue Botswana's growing reputation as a force in African athletics. The championships will provide a valuable platform for the young athletes to test themselves against top competition from across Southern Africa while gaining crucial international experience. Expectations are high for Team Botswana, with the nation's athletics programme continuing to produce talented performers capable of competing at the highest levels. The event is also viewed as an important stepping stone in the development of future senior national team athletes. As the team begins its jou...

  By Maxwell Kumoye   The quiet hills of Okpekpe in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State are once again preparing for a moment on the global sporting stage as the 11th edition of the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race takes place on Saturday, May 30. With the race officially listed by World Athletics as the next major global road race event, attention has shifted to Nigeria for what promises to be one of the most significant athletics competitions on the international calendar this weekend. Organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing, the Okpekpe race stands out as the only World Athletics Gold Label road race scheduled anywhere in the world on May 30, underlining its growing prestige within global athletics. The race is one of just 41 Gold Label road races approved worldwide for 2026 and remains the first road race in West Africa to earn label recognition from World Athletics, a milestone first achieved in 2015. Race Director Zak Amodu said organisers have c...

By Maxwell Kumoye      Nigeria has unveiled a 45-man contingent for the forthcoming 24th CAA Senior Athletics Championships in Accra, with a blend of established stars and emerging talents expected to spearhead the country’s medal pursuit. The Athletics Federation of Nigeria named a squad comprising 25 female and 20 male athletes for the continental showpiece scheduled to hold in Ghana from May 12 to May 17. Leading the Nigerian challenge is world record holder Tobi Amusan, who headlines the women’s roster alongside one of the fastest female sprinters of the season, Rosemary Chukwuma. Amusan is expected to compete in the women’s 100m hurdles event alongside Adaobi Tabugbo and Janet Sunday, while Chukwuma will feature in the women’s 100m and 4x100m relay team with Miracle Ezechukwu, Maria Thompson Omokwe and Tejiri Ugoh. The women’s squad also boasts experienced quarter-miler Patience Okon George, long jumper Ruth Usoro and hammer throw specialist Oyesade Olato...

...Secured three spots, highest by any African country for Beijing 2027   By Maxwell Kumoye who was in Gaborone        The global sprint spotlight shone brightly on Gaborone as the World Relays delivered a thrilling showcase of speed, precision, and national pride.  By the time the baton had made its final exchanges, 72 teams had stamped their authority and secured qualifications for the World Athletics Championships Beijing 2027. Among the standout performers was Team Nigeria, whose relay squads rose to the occasion with composure and confidence, clinching three coveted qualification spots.  It was a performance that blended youth and experience with hunger. Near perfect baton changes, explosive acceleration phases, and a clear sense of purpose from start to finish. Against all odds and a fiercely competitive field featuring the world’s best relay nations, Nigeria’s achievement did not come easy. Each race demanded near-perfection, and the...