By Ebriku John Friday
In his avowed commitment to football development, Cross River State Governor, Sen Prince Bassey Otu has made a 100 percent increment of subvention to the State-owned soccer team, Rovers Football Club of Calabar.
This was disclosed in a statement by Mr Nsa Gill, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor and made available to journalists.
The Governor, who thanked the management and players of Rovers Football Club for holding the forte for the team with a rich history in the anals of Nigerian football, amid underfunding, noted that the increase from five million to 10 million as subvention for Rovers Football Club underscores his determination to reposition football and sports in general in the state.
“Let me thank and congratulate you for what you have been doing over the years. Rovers is a club with very rich history. This government is poised to promoting sports as a business,” he remarked, while receiving the team’s players in the governor’s office premises.
On the players’ health and wellness, Otu directed that immediate medical attention be given to injured footballers. He also promised to provide the team with a brand new bus in 2025, as well as look into other teething challenges bothering the football club.
The state’s number one citizen also commended the Rovers Football Club 18 year old goalkeeper, Clinton Andy, who was on international duties with Nigeria’s under 20 national team, for flying Cross River colours and making the state proud.
He prayed for more open doors for the players as they pursue their football dreams, with a charge to staff and player of Rovers Football Club to double their efforts in the hope of returning the Club to its pride of place as a major force in Nigerian football.
In her remarks, the Commissioner for Sports Development, Mrs Agnes Atsu, the players’ visit to the governor became necessary to present some challenges bedeviling Rovers Football Club, which is five games away from concluding the Nigerian National Football League.
Also speaking, the club’s captain, Inyang Asuquo highlighted some of the issues facing Rovers Football Club to include: lack of adequate funding, rickety team bus, poor medical attention to players, funding for players’ camping, among others.
The captain thanked the governor for his swift response through the increment of subvention for the team and other positive assurances given to the club. He promised that his team will do everything within its power to repay the confidence of the present administration.
Highpoint of the meeting was the under 20 returnee’s presentation of his jersey to the governor and a photo session of Otu and the elated players.
