The Dolphin Swimming League has grown significantly into a thriving grassroots competition featuring 23 schools and swimming clubs, with young swimmers getting an opportunity to showcase their skills.

Oliver Ohieng, Marabou News Agency

Nigeria’s premier inter-school swimming competition, the Dolphin Swimming League season 8 began on a successful note at Grange School in Lagos, over the weekend, attracting hundreds of young swimmers, cheered on by parents and guardians who turned out to support the athletes.

Recognised as Nigeria’s foremost inter-school competition, the swimming league is organised by Dynaspro Promotions Limited in partnership with Advanta Interactive Limited and sanctioned by the Nigeria Aquatics Federation, the Nigeria Olympic Committee, the Nigeria School Sport Federation and the Lagos State Swimming Association.

Started in 2018 with just five schools, the Dolphin Swimming League has grown significantly into a thriving grassroots competition featuring 23 schools and swimming clubs.

This season also welcomed participants from Abuja, highlighting the league’s expanding national reach.

Graduates of the Dolphin Swimming League have advanced to represent Nigeria at regional, continental, and junior international competitions.

A notable name is Abduljabar Adama, who became the first swimmer from Nigeria to win an international medal at the 2025 World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships in Romania.

The 17-year-old sensation is set to represent Africa’s population at the upcoming 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, from October 31 to November 13.

Nseobong Samuel Jesimiel, technical representative of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation praised the swimming league’s impact on youth swimming development.

“And I want to thank Grange School too for giving us this opportunity and fixing their pool to make it look better. The situation now and the challenges is that we have more schools, more clubs to handle. Instead of the normal 10, 11, we have over 23 schools and clubs. That means the Dolphin League is going higher. Record-breaking, record-breaking and record-breaking,” he said.

Parents at the event also commended organisers for creating a safe, disciplined and motivating environment. They noted that the league promotes a healthy lifestyle and encourages children to challenge themselves and strive for excellence.

“Yeah, I must commend whatever support Grange School has put together to make this happen. I think funding is key. We will continue to do our best to support as much as we can as parents, but this competition comes very handy, very helpful and because of health and fitness. I think it’s something we’ll continue to do as we progress in life. Well, done,” said Haruna Onu, a parent.

The season is expected to end toward mid-2027. With growing participation, expanding reach and increasing recognition, the Dolphin Swimming League continues to establish itself as a vital platform for developing the next generation of swimming talents in Nigeria.

Marabou News Agency

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This uncertainty complicates the unresolved promotion and relegation battle in Kenyan football, threatening to further delay the start of the 2026/2027 Kenya Premier League season.

Bonface Osano, Marabou News Agency

Kariobangi Sharks’ promotion-relegation playoff against Mombasa United was abandoned in the 65th minute on Tuesday, after a penalty decision triggered protests, a pitch invasion and an assault on referee John Sulwe.

The match at Ulinzi Sports Complex was level at 2-2 on aggregate at the time of the incident, with Sharks leading 2-1 on the day.

Mombasa United had taken an early lead through Jamal Oporia, who headed home in the 12th minute to extend his side’s aggregate advantage to 3-1, following their 2-1 victory in the first leg at Mbaraki Sports Club on October 1.

Sharks responded through captain Patila Omotto, who equalised in the 28th minute with a direct free-kick from about 20 yards. Seven minutes later, Douglas Omanga completed the comeback, putting Sharks 2-1 ahead and bringing the aggregate score to 3-3.

The match remained tense, with Sharks coach William Muluya being sent off in the 60th minute. Five minutes later, referee John Sulwe awarded Mombasa United a penalty after an incident inside the Sharks box.

The decision was met by strong protests from Sharks players, members of the technical bench and fans. The situation escalated as Sharks players surrounded the referee, while supporters breached the security cordon and entered the pitch.

Security officers intervened and escorted Sulwe from the field, forcing the match to be abandoned. Mombasa United coach Abdulhamid Moallin said his team believed there had been contact inside the box and that the referee was entitled to award the penalty

He condemned the violence and said the promotion contest should be decided on the football pitch. The FKF Leagues and Competitions Committee is expected to determine the outcome of the abandoned match.

However, the dispute could take another turn if either side challenges the committee’s decision.

FKF currently has no operational Judicial bodies, including its Disciplinary and Appeals committees, meaning a further dispute could be referred to the Sports Disputes Tribunal.

This uncertainty complicates the unresolved promotion and relegation battle in Kenyan football, threatening to further delay the start of the 2026/2027 Kenya Premier League season, which was set to commence on Friday, October 09.

Marabou News Agency

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Nigeria is among 7 African teams that will compete at the World Cup, alongside Liberia, Algeria, Egypt, Angola, Ghana and Morocco.

Oliver Ochieng, Marabou News Agency

The Nigeria men’s national amputee football team, the Special Eagles are intensifying training in Abuja, ahead of the 2026 Amputee World Cup. Mexico will host this year’s edition, from November 13-22 in San Juan De Los Lagos.

Special Eagles’ captain Sarafadeen Olalekan Oyeleke says the players are putting all efforts in training to be ready for the competition, with support from the National Sports Commission as well as the Nigeria Amputee Football Federation.

“We are trying to put all our best to intensify our training, as well as following the instruction of the technical department so that we can understand more of the technicality of the game ahead of the work-up,” the captain said.

“So, there have been a lot of things put in place and also the federation has also made it possible to invite all our national team players playing professional football in Turkey as well as other places so that we can have a formidable team to be able to compete at the World Cup.”

Nigeria is among 7 African teams that will compete at the World Cup, alongside Liberia, Algeria, Egypt, Angola, Ghana and Morocco. In total, 24 teams will be in contention for the world title.

The draw was conducted on September 26, with hosts Mexico landing in group A alongside Italy, Liberia and Algeria. Turkey, Spain, Egypt and Nigeria will face each other in group B, while Brazil, Germany and Japan battle in pool C.

Group D comprises Angola, Ghana, Colombia and Iraq, group E has Uzbekistan, Morocco, USA and Uruguay while England, Poland, Iran and Costa Rica will come up against each other in pool F.

The tournament has been held every four years since 1986. Russia and Uzbekistan are the most successful sides with 5 titles each, followed by Brazil, England and El Salvador with three apiece.

Angola became the first African team to win the Amputee Football World Cup title in 2018 by defeating Turkey. In 2022, tables turned as Turkey beat Angola to claim the championship.

Marabou News Agency

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