After Years Of Neglect, Rovers Football Club Tears Wiped As Otu Increases Pay

By Sylvia Akpan, Government House Correspondent

After years of cries for pay increase, good welfare, and other sundry issues, the Cross River State-owned soccer team, Rovers Football Club of Calabar, can smile home as Governor Otu heals their injuries through double pay.

The Governor while pating the management and players of the Club for holding the forte for the team with a rich history in the annals of Nigerian football, amid underfunding, noted that the increase from five million to 10 million as subvention for Rovers Football Club underscores his determination to reposition football and sports in general in the State.

In his remark, while receiving the players in his premises 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.”

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 plaguing the football club.

He applauded the Club’s 18-year-old goalkeeper, Clinton Andy, who was on international duties with Nigeria’s under-20 national team for flying and making the State proud in the international arena.

He prayed for more open doors and injury-free for the players as they pursue their football dreams. He charged the staff and players to double their efforts with the hope of returning the Club to its pride of place as a major force in Nigerian football.

Responding, the Commissioner for Sports Development, Mrs. Agnes Atsu noted that the players’ visit to the governor became necessary to present some challenges bedeviling the Football Club.

Also speaking, the club’s captain, Inyang Asuquo highlighted some of the issues starring them including: lack of adequate funding, rickety team bus, poor medical attention to players, and funding for players’ camping, among others.

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. He promised his team would do everything within its power to repay the confidence of the present administration.

High points of the meeting were the Under-20 returnee’s presentation jersey to the governor and a photo session.