Sports
Sharks FC Wins Rivers Federation Cup …Hopes For Better Performance
Sharks Football Club of Port Harcourt on Wednesday dethroned Dolphins FC, also of Port Harcourt as the Federation Cup Champion in Rivers State.
In the state final match decided at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt, Sharks edged Dolphins 1-0 to win and give their fans something to celebrate since the commencement of the 2013 football season.
In fact, the goal that separated the two sides came off a howler by Dolphins’ keeper, Rotimi Sunday when he failed to handle a back pass from Victor Babayaro and gifted Sharks’ Stowe the opportunity to tap into an empty net.
The match was a drab affair, especially, in the first half, but it came alive in the second half as Dolphins tried to draw level.
Dolphins’ efforts were to no avail as Sharks’ defence rebuffed the attacking forays of their opponent.
Reacting to the victory, Sharks Chief Coach, Dabo-Ere Dokubo described the victory as a positive development that will spur the team to push hander this season.
“It will go a long way to boost our confidence level in the league and the national federation cup competition,” said the coach.
On the current position of the club and the relegation worries hanging on it, Dokubo said that Sharks would not go down at the end of the season.
According to him, the club has overcome the distractions that constituted problems for it in the begining of the season.
“In the begining of the season, we had so many challenges, change of coach, sacking of players and recruitment of new ones, we were yet to really get into the grove while others were up and about. But now, everything is Ok for us to do well,” he said.
The coach declared that from four weeks into the second stanza of the season, the club would be among mid table teams and would be contesting for top five finish before the end of the season.
His optimism hinges on the maximum support and efforts from their sponsors to ensure that the club does well this season.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
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