Gov Otu Increases Rovers FC Allocation to N10m
Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has doubled the monthly subvention allocated to the state-owned Rovers Football Club from N5 million to N10 million.
The governor announced the 100 percent increase during a visit by the club and its technical team to him yesterday.
He emphasized that the raise reflects his commitment to revitalize football and sports across the state, aiming to manage football as a sustainable business venture.
Governor Otu also pledged to supply the team with a new bus by 2025 and address other pressing issues affecting the football club.
“Let me thank and congratulate you for what you have been doing over the years even with a paucity of funds. Rovers is a club with a very rich history. This government is poised to promote sports as a business.”
Otu commended the Rovers’ goalkeeper, 18 year old Clinton Andy, who was on international duties with Nigeria’s under 20 national team, for flying Cross River colours and making the state proud.
He prayed for more open doors for the players as they pursue their football dreams, with a charge to staff and player of Rovers Football Club to double their efforts in the hope of returning the Club to its pride of place as a major force in Nigerian football.
The governor directed that immediate medical attention be given to all the injured footballers.
Commissioner for Sports Development, Mrs Agnes Atsu, the players’ visit to the governor became necessary to present some challenges bedeviling Rovers Football Club, which is five games away from concluding the Nigerian National Football League.
Rovers’ captain, Inyang Asuquo highlighted some of the issues facing them, including lack of adequate funding, rickety team bus, poor medical attention to players, funding for players’ camping, among others.
The captain thanked the governor for the increment of subvention for the team.
