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By Maxwell Kumoye      A former Hammer thrower, Gabriel Opuana, has urged detractors to refrain from disparaging the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) but focuses on fostering unity of purpose to aid sports development in Nigeria. Opuana, offered this strong admonition on Saturday in Lagos, after a former board member and spokesman of the AFN, Dare Esan, made some baseless claims against the federation and its President, Chief Tonobok Okowa.  Opuana, a seasoned sports coach and prominent figure in Nigerian athletics, demanded a cessation of baseless and unsubstantiated claims by Esan and his ilk. He said that someone like Esan who had long benefited from the goodwill of the AFN should not be crying wolf where there is none, adding a campaign of calumny against the AFN should stop. "It is deplorable and utterly disappointing that critics who are not actively involved in sports administration, fail to recognize the achievements of other sports adm...

...Step on that track and take on the foreign-based athletes, she urges the home base track stars   A board member of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Fatima Yusuf Olukojo says the 2025 All Nigeria Athletics Championships which doubles are the National Trials for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan is not ordinary track meet. The legend quarter miler made this submission in a chat with AFN Media Hub on Thursday. The 1996 Olympic Games bronze medallist explained the the National Trials is the nest where the finest, bold and determined athletes congregate to show and prove their worth on and off the track. “This is no ordinary track meet. We’ve got a WORLD RECORD HOLDER in the house—Tobi Amusan—and a wave of NCAA finalists touching down in Nigeria who are ready to light up the trials.” She appeal to athletics lovers across the city of aquatic splendor to throng the Yaba Sports Complex and support the athletes. “Wishing every athlete a fierce, focus...

...More secondary schools to participate at the championship By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Abeokuta           The Senior Manger Sponsorship and GTM, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Osaze Ebueku, on Sunday, stated that the Season 4 of the MTN Athletics Champs will breathtaking and phenomenal. He made this cheering news public in an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG's Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye, in Abeokuta during the Confederation of Africa Athletics, (CAA) U-18/U-20 Championship. Mr. Ebueku explained that the athletics event will be bigger and better than the previous Season 3 and will bring together many schools across Nigeria. “The 4th Season, is in it planning stage but I can tell you that, it's going to be full blown, it's going to be bigger, with a lot of schools, secondary schools in participation, with more energetic champions emerging,” he said. He emphasized that the MTN Athletics Champs was put together three yea...

...Athletics is embedded in my soul, it's time to make my voice heard in Africa  By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Abeokuta           Terrific US-base Nigerian hurdIer, Divine Bamgboye, a member of Team Nigeria to the Confederation of Africa Athletics (CAA), U-18/U20 has promised to leave her mark on the track in Abeokuta and make her voice heard across the continent. She gave this assurance on Thursday in an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG'S Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye, stating that gold is her favourite metal, and she will do everything within her power to secure it on Friday during the U-20 hurdles final. Bamgboye explained that she is feeling a bit nervous, but is very confident that victory is within her reach. “I expect to win gold, it's nerve-racking, I feel very nervous, I'm very optimistic, I think I can do it, I think it's within reach,” she said. Divine Bamgboye, who is the niece of the Permane...

...We are thrilled to host this championship - Comrade Olamide Lawal ...Heaps praises on Governor Dapo Abiodun for commitment to sports in the state        Special Assistant to the Governor of Ogun State Governor, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Youth Development, Comrade Olamide Lawal, extended a warm welcome to the young athletes from across Africa, participating in the Confederation of Africa Athletics, U-18/20 Championship scheduled to take in the state. This prestigious event brings together 700 young athletes from various African countries to compete and showcase their talents. In an exclusive interview, Comrade Olamide Lawal expressed his excitement about the championship, highlighting the significance of such events in promoting sports development in the state. "We are thrilled to host this championship, which will undoubtedly bring together the best young athletes from Africa. This is a testament to our Governor's commitment to promo...

...Festival to be a weeklong celebration of basketball, entertainment, culture and community By Pius Ayinor Maxwell Kumoye          Nigerian pop sensation Ayra Starr has just been announced as a performer at the Closing Concert of the 2025 Giants of Africa Festival joining a powerhouse lineup that includes Afrobeats stars Kizz Daniel and Timaya.    Giants of Africa, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering African youth through basketball, alongside its founder Masai Ujiri, have announced additional talent for talent showpiece scheduled to in Kigali, the Rwandan capital from the 26th of July to the 2nd of August, 2025.    Rwandan artist Alyn Sano is also among the elite list of performers at the festival’s inaugural Threads of Africa Fashion Show on July 31.   Launching a week of unforgettable music moments, the festival’s exhilarating Opening Show on July 27 will feature performances by South African DJ phenome...

...To clear long-standing sign-on fee debts owed to players, staff of Kwara United Football Club By Maxwell Kumoye      The Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, will host a special 'Thank You' reception in honour of Team Kwara’s contingent to the National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games held in the Rock City, Ogun State, South-West, Nigeria. The ceremony will take place on Friday, the 18th of this month in the state capital, Ilorin. This heart warming news was made public Tuesday by Mallam Bolakale Adisa Mogaji, the Executive Chairman, Kwara State Sports Commission (KSSC). FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG understands that all medalists who proudly represented the state will be specially rewarded by the Governor in appreciation for their outstanding performance and dedication. Kwara State contingent to Ogun State for the 22nd National Sports Festival tagged Gateway Games returned to Ilorin with 29 medals, 6 gold, 11 silver and 12 bron...

By Mishael Emmanuel and Ben Efe       In a bid to develop the female football in Nigeria, some former athletes are giving back to the community, organising programmes to discover and harness the huge talent base across the country. One such program was organised by the Chioma Ajunwa Foundation in partnership with the Lilly Legend Sports Academy, at the Umuchu Mini Stadium in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, South-East, Nigeria. The event which took place on Saturday the 12th of July, 2025 also featured a wellness programme for women, with former Olympics long jump champion, Chioma Ajunwa heading the exercise. Chioma Ajunwa expressed appreciation to the Chairman of Aguata Local Government Area, Mr. Chibueze Ofobuike for his continued support to the development of grassroot sports. The former long jumper stressed that with the support of kind-hearted individuals with deep pockets they can bridge the gap between what is obtainable in other part...

...Sets sight on representing the country at the Olympics By Mishael Emmanuel with additional agency reports            A week of world class sportsmanship at the 2025 World Boxing Cup witnessed the rise of an amazon who gave her all for country and continent. In a pool of over 400 boxers from 31 countries, 6 continents, we find Nigeria and Africa's sole representative battling it out for the first african medal in the inaugural edition of the Boxing World Cup. The Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Martial Art Palace, was the perfect corridor for Nigeria's Patricia Mbata to find her rhythm and display her prowess as she gave pound for pound to win the historic bronze medal.    The Astana event was the third stage of the World Cup after Brazil and Czechia. And the British born Nigerian pugilist who won Gold in the 75kg category at the last Africa Games in Accra, Ghana, says getting bronze at the championships motivates her to keep pursuing her drea...

...South Africa arrives in Abeokuta eyeing historic hat-trick ...Teenage terror and reigning World U-20 100m champion Banda, spearheads South Africa's title defense with sub-10s seasons best ...Team Kenya ready to run for honours at the championships, due in Abeokuta on Tuesday By Mishael Emmanuel             The Republic of Congo's delegation to Africa biggest athletics feast at the Junior and Youth level were first amongst the set of early arrivals in Abeokuta, Ogun State, South-West, Nigeria. This is in a bid to ensure they acclimate and register the best possible showing at the Championships.   Team Congo that touched down four days ahead of the 5-day championships received a warm reception at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, South-West, Nigeria. The 28-member delegation who arrived in the early hours of Saturday were received by the Local Organising Committee (LOC) Protocol Team. Head of Protocol, Arabirin...

...Seeks institutional support, professional advice of the NSC, FG  By Uzor Odigbo and Maxwell Kumoye          The chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, is elated with the Sports Development Project of the Abia State Government, South-East of Nigeria. Dikko made this known after a very positive and fruitful discussion with the Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Oti in Umuahia, the State capital. The Abia State Sports Project is aimed at harnessing the potentials of sports economy in the State, the South-East region, and Nigeria as well as the continent. The thrust of the discussions centered around the overall development of sports in Abia State and grassroots engagements. Other issues discussed was the State’s preparations to host the 1st Abia International Para Badminton Championship scheduled for 30th September to 5th October 2025 and the 2025 All African Para Badminton Championship schedule for 6th to 12th October 2025. Th...