In his avowed commitment to football development, Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has approved a 100 percent increment in the subvention to the State-owned soccer team, Rovers Football Club of Calabar.
The Governor thanked the management and players of Rovers Football Club for holding the forte for the team.
Otu said they had held on for the club with a rich history in the annals of Nigerian football amid underfunding.
He noted that the increase from N5 million to N10 million as monthly subvention for Rovers Football Club underscores his determination to reposition football and sports in general in the state.
He said: “Let me thank and congratulate you for what you have been doing over the years. Rovers is a club with a very rich history.
“This government is poised to promote sports as a business.”
Otu, who also spoke on the health and wellness of the players while receiving them in the Governor’s Office premises, 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 State 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, 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, and funding for players’ camping.
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.
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Asuquo promised that the 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.