Governor Rochas Okorocha has described the Super Four victory of Heartland Football club inKanoState, as a divine blessing from God.
Okorocha who stated this on Wednesday, January 16 at the government house while receiving the team before an expanded exco meeting, thanked the team and their management for their doggedness and patriotic gestures.
He recounted that even when the states resources is not enough to carry most of the sporting projects, Heartland FC have continued to demonstrate their undying efforts towards uplifting the state through sports. Owelle continued by saying that by this victory which is coming on the heels of winning back-to-back the federation cup as well as the Champion of Champions Cup in December against Kano Pillars at Port Harcourt, God has chosen to continue blessing the state with Heartland FC.
“We must appreciate the team for their patriotic attitude”, Owelle stated. The Governor however also called on the Federal Government especially the Ministry of Sports (National Sports Commission) to device a means of rewarding states that have done well in various sporting Championships. He stated that it is disheartening to note that every season, teams and states win championships only to be given trophies, adding that monetary incentives would go a long way to encourage the teams and the states.
Reacting to the team’s victory, the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Chief Eze Madumere thanked the team and their management for once more making the state proud. He also re-affirmed that everything has been put in motion to ensure that the bus which was promised to Heartland will soon be given to them and that no matter where the funds to support the team is coming from (either from him or other excos) it is still the governor. Chief Madumere who also added his voice on the need for the Federal Ministry of Sports to reward teams and states that have done well to help boost the morale of the athletes promised that his Excellency will surely appreciate the Heartland team.
