Ever heard of a governor who doubles money? There is one in Cross River State and he is Senator Bassey Edet Otu. He has doubled the monthly subvention for the state football club-Rovers-from N5million to N10 million.
Bassey in making the club richer, said when he received the team that he needed to encourage them to do much more for the state as he was determined to give sports development some attention in the Peoples First agenda.
“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 said, according to a statement by his chief press secretary, Mr Gill Nsa.
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.
He 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, said 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.
