Sports
From Grace To Grass …Whither Sharks, Dolphins?
Since the early days of organised sports competition in Nigeria, Port Harcourt has always been in the mix for glory. In terms of result, talent and achievement, the City has had its fair share of euphoria, especially, in football.
It is on record that the oldest football competition in the country, known then as the FA/Challenge Cup in 1954, has been celebrated seven times in the city, second only to Ibadan, which has had it for about eight times in the hay days of 11CC Shooting Stars FC.
Those were the days of Port Harcourt Red Devils and Port Harcourt FC, which won the FA Cup three times beating Warri X1 4-1, Federal United 6-0 and Mighty Jets 1-0 in 1955, 1958 and 1963, respectively.
Those were the times when about six out of every 10 Port Harcourt youth would have the capacity to thrill with football skills or display indepth knowledge of the game.
However, since the days of present day Sharks and Dolphins FCs, solely sponsored and motivated by the Rivers State government, the fortunes of the city in the game have been swinging back and forth.
Despite the proven desire of successive administrations in the state to make the clubs the best in the land, it has been one celebration today, despair tomorrow.
Football fans in the state have yet to be served the consistent performances and achievements they once knew and still crave for.
According to one ardent football fan, Worlu Chimene, the clubs, considering the enormous resources put at their disposal by the government ought to be the Manchester United FC of Nigerian Football, by consistently winning laurels and being in the mix for titles year in year out.
Perhaps, Dolphins FC, which became an adopted son of the city after being acquired from the then Eastern Bulkcem company as Eagle Cement FC in 2000, has truly returned rewards on investment.
Two-time League winners in 2004 and 2011, Dolphins have also become FA Cup champions four times.
They were champions in 2001, 2004, 2006 and 2007. Indeed, Dolphins have been there in virtually every race for titles more times than not. But the favourite club in the city, Sharks FC has been the bigger disappointment.
Since inception in early 1970s, the brilliance and promise of its early days have gone into a jinxed history of just completing the number of clubs in competitions every season.
Apart from the triumph in the regional WAFU Cup of three years ago, the Blue Angels succeeded in harvesting a tale of woes, including suffering relegations to the lower division of the league. Within touching distance.
On two occasions, Sharks came to glory in 1996 in the league and 2009 FA Cup, fate conspired to deny history from its grasp.
The Blue Angles was on the verge of winning the league in 1996 but Udoji United usurped the title via the boardroom while the club in 2009 failed to break the jinx of winning a national title, when against expectations, it succumbed to Enyimba in the FA Cup final in Lagos.
The clubs, especially, Sharks, may have been suffering from self-inflicted nemesis or the myopia of successive administrators of the club. Indeed, Sharks FC, has been carrying serious excess baggages that have clogged its wheel of progress. And it is on when such loads are shed, that the club would begin to progress as expected.
According to the Secretary of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Rivers State chapter, Olalekan Ige, until Sharks and Dolphins are run like business enterprises that they are supposed to be, they would continue to underperform, while different interests at play would continue to exploit it.
He calls for a functional management board to be set up for the clubs for efficient and effective day-to-day operations.
More importantly, the Secretary believes that the state government ought to collapse the two clubs into one entity or dispose one to concentrate effective on management of a viable club side.
A board member of Rivers State Football Association, who is also a retired referee, Chief Omineokuma Kile sees Dolphins FC as the orphan who does not feed well but works very hard, with determination to succeed while Sharks remains the opposite.
Both clubs have not been able to perform well as they should because their administrators have not done what they should do to put them in good stead.
In the days of old, recalls Chief Kile, recruitment of players was done systematically, but getting gifted and committed players from within and outside rather than concentrating on players that would suit selfish interests and at the end of the day remain on the bench.
Also, absence of conscious youth development policy has robbed the clubs of a sure nursery bed for the supply of fresh talents.
“Let us see the schools, just live in the days of Richard Owubokiri, Kuruye, Pastor Sarawinyo (Benbella), as the supply line for talents that will endure rather than focusing on already made ‘stars’ that may twinkle for a few moments”, said Chief Kile.
Indeed, the potentials to make Sharks and Dolphins succeed as per the passion and vision of the sports loving governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi abound in the city and beyond. But it must not be business as usual, especially, for those interests that see the clubs as a means of survival.
Most stakeholders would rather explore ways to milk the clubs, and not contribute towards making them brands that can stand on their own. That’s the plight of our darling teams, once beheld as two of Nigeria’s best in the local league. Shall we ever get there again?
Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on Saturday declared open the 2026 Port Harcourt Amateur Open Golf Championship during which he renewed his administration’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote youth development and the wellbeing of Rivers people.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Barr. Sunny Ewule, at the ceremonial Tee -off to kickstart the tournament, said the event holding in Port Harcourt, is a clear indication that Rivers State is safe, peaceful and open for sports, tourism and business.
“This championship bringing over two hundred and fifty golfers from across Nigeria to Port Harcourt is a testament to the fact that Rivers State is safe, peaceful and open for sports, tourism and business. You have demonstrated that sports is a powerful tool for social cohesion and for projecting the positive nature of our State,” he said.
The Rivers State Government, the Governor stated, identifies with the championship and will continue to support initiatives that promote youth development and the wellbeing of the people.
Governor Fubara described golf as more than a sport, emphasising that it teaches patience, discipline, focus and integrity. According to him, these values were in line with his administration’s commitment to peace, unity and healthy living for all the people of Rivers State.
He commended the Local Organizing Committee for their hard work in putting the event together. He also commended the Port Harcourt Club Golf Section for sustaining the historic Club since 1928, while wishing all golfers participating in the championship an injury-free and worthy tournament.
The President of the Port Harcourt Club, Barr. Victor Omubo Frank-Briggs, expressed appreciation to the Governor honouring their invitation, noting that with the government’s presence the golfers have been energised and inspired to do their best in the championship
MFM, First Bank eye AWBL finals in Liberia (5)
Nigerian clubs MFM Basketball Club and First Bank Basketball Club will battle for places in the African Women’s Basketball League finals when they compete in the FIBA Africa Zone 3 qualifiers in Monrovia, Liberia, from November 2 to 9.
The six-team competition will take place at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Indoor Gymnasium in Paynesville, with the top two teams earning qualification for the continental finals in Cairo, Egypt, scheduled for December 11 to 19.
MFM and First Bank will be seeking to carry their domestic form into the qualifiers after meeting in the final of the Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League, where MFM claimed a narrow 66-64 victory.
The result underlined the close rivalry between the Nigerian sides, who will now look to establish themselves against opponents from across the region and secure their places in Cairo.
Defending FIBA Africa Zone 3 champions Friends of Basketball Association of Côte d’Ivoire will also compete, alongside Benin Republic’s Energie Basketball Club of Cotonou.
Hosts Liberia will be represented by Flames Basketball Club, the domestic league runners-up, and reigning national champions D’Rockers Basketball Club.
The Nigerian clubs secured their places in the qualifiers after FIBA Africa and the Liberia Basketball Association extended the registration deadline and adjusted the competition schedule following the late conclusion of their domestic league campaign. The intervention was facilitated by FIBA Africa Zone 3 President, Colonel Sam Ahmedu (retd.).
Preparations for the tournament are also gathering momentum, with Flames president and Liberia Basketball Association Secretary-General Calvin Diggs saying the organisers are working to deliver a successful competition.
FIBA Africa Zone 3 Secretary Joe Apu also expressed confidence in Liberia’s readiness, citing the experience of the country’s basketball community in hosting international events.
With six teams competing for just two qualification places, MFM and First Bank will face a demanding test as they seek to progress to the continental finals in Egypt.
Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze is expected to spend at least two months on the sidelines with a hip injury, ruling him out of AC Milan’s upcoming fixtures, including the derby against Inter Milan.
According to Italian sources, the 27-year-old has consulted a specialist over a problem with his left hip and commenced treatment with injections.
Chukwueze will undergo another assessment in 10 to 15 days, but he is not expected to return before the end of the year, dealing a blow to Nigeria and Milan’s options on the right flank.
The Nigerian reportedly experienced discomfort in his hip after Milan’s Serie A fixture against Atalanta and missed training ahead of last Thursday’s UEFA Europa League clash with Bournemouth, which the Italian side lost 3-0.
Chukwueze has made eight appearances across all competitions this season, providing two assists since returning to Milan following a loan spell at Premier League club Fulham.
His absence adds to Milan’s injury concerns, with defender Matteo Gabbia and winger Alexis Saelemaekers also sidelined by long-term injuries.
The Rossoneri are reportedly considering recalling Zachary Athekame from his loan spell at Lyon to provide additional cover during Chukwueze’s recovery.
Milan, who remain unbeaten in Serie A this season, face Udinese on Sunday before taking on Inter in the derby on October 31.
There is better news for the Italian side regarding striker Gonçalo Ramos, who has returned to full training after missing the Bournemouth defeat with fatigue in his left calf.
A scan revealed no muscle damage, making the Portuguese forward available for Sunday’s trip to Udinese.
Three Nigerians, David Samuel, Patrick Ocheme and Raphael Uchegbu, will fight for titles at the PFL Africa finals after the Professional Fighters League confirmed PFL Rwanda for December 12 at the BK Arena in Kigali.
The promotion announced on October 23 that the event will crown three African champions in the welterweight (170 lbs), lightweight (155 lbs) and bantamweight (135 lbs) divisions.
In the main event, the undefeated Samuel, who has a record of 7-0, will meet Angola’s Shido “Machine” Boris Esperança, who is 13-2, in the welterweight final.
Esperança reached the final with a first-round finish in his semi-final, while Samuel went the distance to keep his perfect record.
“My Nigerian roots opened the door for me to compete in PFL Africa, and reaching the final is a special source of pride for me,” Samuel said. “On December 12, I will step into the cage not just as a finalist, but as a man determined to finish what he started and become a champion.”
Esperança said, “I believe that I can be that champion that the promotion deserves because I have been crafting myself for that.”
Ocheme, whose record stands at 10-1, headlines the co-main event against Senegal’s Demba “Black Tiger” Seck, who is 11-3, in the lightweight final. Ocheme booked his place with a devastating first-round body kick in his semi-final.
“This means a lot to me because finishing fights is what I do best; I am a knockout artist by nature,” Ocheme said. “I trust my preparation, my fight IQ and my ability to get the job done, God willing, in the first or second round.”
Seck responded, “Patrick is a tough opponent, and I always knew our paths could cross in the final. I respect his skills, but I truly believe I am the most complete, technical, strongest, and the most experienced fighter in this division.”
In the bantamweight final, Uchegbu, a former FCC champion with a record of 11-2, faces Liberia’s Dwight Joseph, who is 17-3 and won his semi-final by split decision.
“Winning in the final will change my life, and I look forward to bringing the belt back to the motherland and showing the next generation of African fighters what is possible,” Uchegbu said.
Joseph said, “Coming up short last year motivated me to push even harder this time around. I am getting my hand raised, leaving with that belt, and taking it back to Liberia.”
PFL Rwanda will be shown across Africa on SuperSport for English-speaking viewers and Canal+ for French-speaking audiences. It will also be available on free-to-air television via SportyTV.
PFL Africa General Manager, Elias Schulze, said, “Kigali will take centre stage as we crown Africa’s next champions in front of a global audience. Together with our Rwandan partners, we are giving African talent a world stage, and the next generation something to fight for.”
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