Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Imo State Chapter, has attributed
the dwindling fortunes of Heartland Football Club of Owerri, to undue interference by the State Government through the Ministry of Sports, Youths and Social Development in the daily administration of the club.
Imo SWAN made its feelings known in a 10-paragraph communique issued at the end of her maiden 2021 meeting in Owerri, describing the inteference as part of the problems bedeviling the Club.
According to the Communique, SWAN observed that “Despite Heartland FC’s first win of the 2020-21 Nigeria Professional Football League season at home to their Oriental brothers, Enyimba Interntional FC, Aba, they have observed the club’s dwindling fortune and as principal stakeholders, they have investigated and noted some anomalies which should be nipped in the bud.
The communique called on all parties involved to be mindful of the implications of their actions and inactions and to retrace their steps.
Imo SWAN demanded for an immediate halt to the continued interference of the State Ministry of Sports, Youth & Social Development and other agencies of the government in the day to day running of the club.
They requested that the club management headed by the General Manager be allowed to take its oversight function of the club and be held accountable.
According to them, It is an obvious truth that the laws governing the game abhor interference as it may attract ban or stiffer sanctions for the club if unchecked.
SWAN also called for immediate intervention of Imo State Government as it concerns the release of funds to the team to address several issues facing the club, particularly the commencement of the installmental payment of the debt owed the ex-player of the team, the Brazillian Santos Da Costa Ivo Jorge to halt the FIFA ban and to give Heartland FC the latitude to sign new players.
The Association further observed that, “It’s disheartening that Heartland players are still accommodated in a hotel in Owerri instead of a residential camp where players’ activities can be monitored and controlled, noting that this has caused a lot of distractions to the team including unsettled hotel bills.
The Association passionately implored the State government to put all logistics in place with which to hasten action towards the completion of the ongoing works at the Dan Anyiam Stadium Complex, Owerri to make it befitting to host league matches and other sporting events fully.
In a swift reaction, Honourable Dan Ogu, the Commissioner in charge of the Sports Ministry, described the allegation as blackmail against the government which he said, means well for the club.
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