Johnkennedy Uzoma, Owerri
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Imo State Chapter, has appealed to Governor Hope Uzodimma to as a matter of urgency save Heartland Football Club from imminent extinction by appointing a General Manager to oversee the day to day administrative running of the club.
In a statement issued, in Owerri, and endorsed by the chairman and Secretary of Association, Comrade Everest Ezihe and Tunde Laidi, noted with dismay, the politicisation of the football club occasioned by selfishness, internal crisis and wrangling.
The association stated the important need for urgent intervention of the Governor to rescue Heartland FC and save the club from impending doom.
The association expressed worries over the Governor’s continuous silence on the leadership crisis that for months now have enveloped the football club and inability of the club to start preparation for the new season.
They also observed with dismayed that even the players and the club officials are still owed backlog of salaries and allowances which do not augur well for a state that parades herself as the pearl of Eastern Heartland.
SWAN appeal to the Governor to ensure the crisis engulfing the club is resolved forthwith while putting machineries in motion to ensure the speedy payment of the emoluments owed the team
The association called on government to fast- track the processes that will ensure total compliance of the club and players licensing directives of the nation’s League Management Company (LMC), which the league body has already put its deadline to be Friday, September 18, 2020.
While SWAN reaffirm their commitment in sports development and transformation, they reminded Governor that history and posterity will not be pleased with you if under his watch, one of the legacies of his heroes past are allowed to go into oblivion.
Describing Heartland FC as one of the most cherished pride of the Eastern Heartland, the association pointed out that it will be regrettable if this visionary government whose administrative mantra is anchored on Shared Prosperity will out of negligence allow this evergreen game to be destroyed in the state due to selfish interests.