By Patrick Omorodion

Success, they say, has many fathers. This is exactly the story of Heartland Football Club of Owerri who clinched the FA Cup September 25, 2011 after pipping oriental brothers, Enyimba Football Club of Aba 1-0 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.

The victory meant much for the team and their teeming Imo and Owerri fans in particular because for close to 18 years they have looked forward to their team caressing a silverware of whatever nomenclature.

The search for a trophy was intensified after 2003/2004 when their brother and neighbour, Enyimba made history by winning the African Champions League trophy back-to-back. This forced the former governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim to set up a Special Task Force to begin the campaign for the African title.

When his efforts were not yielding fruit, his interest waned and the splash of money ceased and thus the club started nose-diving even on the local scene. This did not last long as the governor listened to the voices of reason and made some changes in the management team by appointing a journalist, Chief Fan Ndubuoke as the new General Manager of the side.

The change of guard at the Government House almost derailed the effort of the Chief Ndubuoke-led management when some politicians wanted the management sacked claiming “it was a baby of the former governor”. Funds became a problem for the team as the Rochas Okorocha government turned deaf ears to their cry for financial support.

Despite the distraction, the management struggled to keep the club afloat and by sheer determination and divine support, the club overcame all odds to become the 2011 FA Cup kings with a continental ticket in the bargain.

Suddenly, suddenly, suddenly, apologies to the late Afro Beat king, Fela Anikulapo, Heartland became “our well beloved club in whom we are well pleased” as the state government took over the celebration of the victory, using it to mark Governor Okorocha’s 100 Days in office.

For the team that travelled by road to Lagos for the FA Cup, they had to be flown to Owerri and rode in a motorcade through the streets of Owerri with politicians.

That was after a brief reception at the Presidential Lounge of the Sam Mbakwe Airport where the State’s Sports Commissioner, Ken Emelu confessed that the government didn’t support the team before then but will do so henceforth because “they have made us proud.”

In his joyous mood, the commissioner even announced to the players that they were free to go on a binge and frolick with girls of their choices as “there is no crime in carrying women”, an announcement that received a thunderous ovation from players who have been hungry for fun since the FA Cup campaign began.

One incident however occurred just as the victorious team touched down at the Sam Mbakwe Airport in Owerri. It was a chance meeting with their former governor, Chief Ohakim who was on his way out of Owerri that day.

Out of respect for the man who started the foundation for the victory, as Chief Ohakim would rightly claim in his brief remark, he was handed the trophy for a photo session. An elated Ohakim congratulated them and commended his successor, Owelle Okorocha “for building on the foundation which I layed.”

He wished them well in their continental campaign and as he made to board the aircraft, he dipped his hand into his brief case and splashed the team with crisp $4000 notes which the players received with thanks.

That was the end of the story as the team talked about the Ohakim encounter in hushed tones, afraid to publicise it, claiming it would be seen as an embarrassment for Governor Okorocha. But the truth must be told, the Ohakim-government prepared the team for whatever victory Governor Okorocha is celebrating after failing to support them before the campaign even though he splashed one million Naira on each of the players during a reception for them at the government house.