Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, at the weekend, indicated that his government would recruit more talented players from across the world to prepare Enyimba for the challenge of competing successfully in the CAF champions League against sophisticated teams from North Africa.
He also assured that his administration would provide Enyimba the support they need to excel in local competitions.
Speaking during a reception at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Umuahia, he organised for Enyimba, who recently won the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title at the championship play-off in Lagos, Otti announced that his government would renovate the Enyimba Stadium to make it more suitable and fit for the CAF Champions League.
The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr Ikechukwu Emetu, sympathised with the players over their unpaid three months salaries by the past administration and announced that he has instructed that the process of defraying the outstanding salaries be effected immediately.
He commended the coaching crew, headed by Nigeria’s veteran footballer, Finidi George and the immediate past chairman of the club, Felix Anyansi Agwu, for leading the players to achieve victory.
Otti also commended former super Eagles’ captain, Kanu Nwankwo, for offering to provide support to the state’s growing sporting industry.
Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Emmanuel Emeruwa, while encouraging the team to be resolute in their winning strides, assured that their worst days were over, following the present administration’s poise to breath new lease of life into the club.
He consequently urged the management to remain focused in their resolve to position the football club for more successes.
Earlier, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Mr Chinedu Ekeke, extolled Governor Otti for his commitment in sponsoring the club to the tournament and the players for their gallantry in winning the trophy.
On behalf of the team, Coach Finidi acknowledged Governor Otti’s encouragement and support to the team and assured that the club would not take government’s support for granted, but strive to win more laurels for the State.
The highpoint of the event was the presentation of the two trophies won by Enyimba and a jersey to Governor Otti by Africa’s La Liga Player of the Year, Samuel Chukwueze.
