A former Chairman of Heartland Football Club of Owerri, Goodfaith Chibuzo Etuemen a.k.a. Bash has commended the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma for gradually bailing the club out from an imminent death-knell.
Bash whose leadership took Heartland FC out of relegation in 2017, said but for the latest intervention of the governor in releasing funds for the settlement of the club’s current debts, the team would have been headed back to relegation.
“The Governor, Hope Uzodinma deserves our commendation really for the series of funds he has been releasing to save the club,” he said.
” I, for one praise him because I know it’s not easy. With such financial intervention as we hear he’s been making, the team now has hope of survival. We’re all praying that the team seizes the opportunity to survive,” he added.
Earlier this week, the government reportedly approved the release of USD$56,000 for the payment of a FIFA judgment debt in favor of the former player, Santos Da Costa Ivo Jorge.
The Brazilian had sued Heartland FC after the club’s new management team negligently ignored his request for a return flight ticket to Nigeria to conclude his remaining one year contract with the club.
Two other Nigerian players, Okereke Mmaduabuchi and Fatunwase Alfred Oluwasegun who were wrongly dropped alongside Santos Da Costa also filled and won their cases against Heartland FC at the League Management Company (LMC).
The government in a similar manner had reportedly released money to resolve the matter and bailed Heartland FC from the imposed sanctions.
Also, the governor has equally released funds intermittently for the payment of arrears of salaries and allowance owed to the present players and officials even as efforts are reportedly being made to clear up old debts to some players and former officials.
Last week, Uzodinma donated two new coaster buses to add to Heartland FC’s fleet of vehicles while at the same time, provided the team with a new camp after it lost its Iwuanyanwu Games Village Camp at Naze in Owerri North.
Bash said giving the governor some commendation would ginger him to do more for the team.
“He’s really tried for the team and needs to be commended so that he can do more,” said the football administrator who now runs a popular sports and entertainment biz, Bashlyks Sports House And Events.
“Right now, I think the team should concentrate while we continue to pray for it to do well,” he said.
