leagueunlimited: By Emma Njoku 08059423225
•Tasks FG on sports policy
Governor Rochas Okorocha has predicted that Heartland Football Club would continue to dominate the nation’s football scene for as long as his administration lasted. He made the declaration recently in Owerri at a state reception for the team following its triumph at the pre-season tournament for clubs that will represent the country in continental competitions this year.
It was the fifth trophy to be presented to the Owelle by the team barely a year after he assumed office as the executive governor of Imo State. Heartland FC went 18 years without winning a trophy until the appointment of Chief Fan Ndubuoke as the new general manager of the club. “Since the present administration came on board, many good things have come to Imo State.
It’s a testimony that God has chosen this administration for the goodness of mankind. We are grateful to God,” the governor remarked at the reception. “We do not actually deserve all the good things that have come to the state. But I think that the mercy of God is upon the state such that whatever we touch with our hands prospers. We shall keep winning trophies; no one can stand on our way,” he declared.
Although the Governor Okorocha promised to reward the team for doing the state proud, he appealed to the federal government to come up with a special support package for states that do well in sports. “With little or nothing, these young lads have been able to achieve a lot.
We must encourage them for their patriotism, doggedness and resilience. The federal government, through the Sports Ministry, should create some kind of support for states that do well in particular sports. That’s the only way to develop sports and produce athletes that will represent the nation at international competitions,” the governor reasoned.