Edo 2020 Nat. Sports Festival: SWAN Urges Imo Govt. On Prompt Release Of Funds For Athletes Preparation

From JOHNKENNEDY UZOMA, Imo.

The Imo State Chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), has appealed to the Government of Imo State for prompt release of funds to enable the state athletes prepare for the championship.

This step when taken will enable the athletes go into the championship with high hope and the mindset of making the National Sports Festival the best by winning laurels to the state.

In a press statement issued in Owerri and endorsed by the Chairman, Comrade Everest Ezihe, the association beckoned on the state Government to pay more attention to athletes final preparations before embarking on the trip to  Edo State.

They appealed to government  to also ensure that the state-contingent comply with the directives by making sure their athletes and officials are vaccinated over a week before arrival for the Championship and also make necessary arrangements to ensure that all athletes and officials take COVID-19 test about 72 hours before embarking on the trip to Edo State.

The group implores the State Government to promptly settle the outstanding debts of players and officials of Heartland FC to ensure that the club’s current spate of good performances is sustained.

They observed that Heartland FC have remained unbeaten in the league in the past four games but have drawn three of those matches because of distractions over accumulated unpaid salaries,  match bonuses and allowances.

The association pointed out reasons why the players boycotted training sessions since the start of the week despite having a key game against Kano Pillars this weekend which is as a result of the delay in payment of their salaries, bonuses and allowances.

They passionately appealed to Government to expedite actions in making funds available to the team so that off-the-pitch distractions won’t derail the target of the team in returning the state to CAF Club competitions at the end of the season.

The association hailed the giant strides of Imo State Government in the area of sports infrastructural development in the Eastern Heartland especially as it concerns the new look Dan Anyiam Stadium Complex, Owerri, and its beautiful state-of-the-art facilities.

The association expressed satisfaction with the renewed Dan Anyiam Stadium with an in-built world-class VIP, neatly arranged seats, and with one of the best dressing room facilities in Nigeria at present.

Imo SWAN also commended the State government for its timely intervention into the goings-on at Heartland FC especially the payment of the USD56,000 to offset the debt owed Heartland FC former player, Santos Da Costa Ivo Jorge and as such upturning, the transfer ban placed on the team by FIFA.

They described it as a laudable feat because it made it possible for Heartland FC to complete the registration of the players they signed at the start of the season.