The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Imo state Chapter, has hailed Gov. Hope Uzodinma for appointing an Interim Management Committee to oversee the activities of Heartland FC of Owerri.
The group said with the appointment, the lingering leadership crisis in the club has been permanently settled.SWAN disclosed this in a press statement, jointly signed by its Chairman, Mr Everest Ezihe, and the Secretary, Mr Tunde Liadi.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Heartland FC has been embroiled in leadership crisis in recent time with unpaid salaries of both players and staff for seven months.
The crisis also stopped the club from embarking on early preparations for the new football season and club licensing as directed by the League Management Company (LMC).
According to the release, this prompted members of the State SWAN to issue a press statement alerting the governor on the dangers ahead, and urging him to immediately intervene by appointing the club’s management.
The release further noted that members of the group followed up their advice to the Governor with courtesy visits to relevant government officials, sports administrators, sports philanthropists and some stakeholders in the state.“
We are pleased that Gov. Uzodimma, as a listening Governor, few days ago responded to our clarion call and inaugurated a seven-man Interim Management Board, with Charles Ezekwem as Chairman and Mr Ifeanyi Chukwudi as the General Manager.
The group enjoined the newly-formed Heartland Interim Management Board to get to work immediately and strive to comply with the directives of the Imo Government to revamp the club.
The sports Journalists also advised the new management team on the need to jettison selfishness, wranglings, bickering and leadership conflicts which they observed may rock the boat.“
They must imbibe the spirit of patriotism, brotherly love and enthrone unity of purpose as strategic management tools for them to achieve the set objectives of the government”.
“We further appeal to the State Government on the need to expedite actions towards the payment of the backlogs of debts owed the players and officials to enable the new Management Committee to take off seamlessly”. (NAN)
