BENIN CITY – Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu has presented a cheque for five million naira to Bendel Insurance FC Supporters Club.
Presenting the cheque to the leadership of the supporters club in his office yesterday, the Deputy Governor stated that it was in fulfilment of Governor Godwin Obasrki’s promise to the Supporters Club for cheering up the Insurance FC to get to the Premier Leaque in tge 2017/2018 football season. He said the gesture was to help the club position well for the new football season, charging the leadership to help replicate same supporters base for the Edo Queens with a visible female presence.
The Deputy Governor announced that government has made provision for new buses for the use of both supporters clubs to ease their stress of movement. He stated catigorically that Bendel Insurance FC is owned by government and not a private venture as was being touted.
According to him, Bendel Insurance FC is a mass movement despite government’s ownership which translated beyond Edo State, hence, the recognition with it’s strong fans base all over the country.
He said new Jerseys for the two football teams were ready for use for the new football season which would be unveiled in a fortnight, adding that the new management team would also be unveiled.
He frowned at the poor management of the National League, insisting that it was the bane of professional football in Nigeria. Shaibu accused the league management for being responsible for the relegation of four teams, including Bendel Insurance FC based on a one point difference, observing that it was a clear pointer that Bendel Insurance FC didn’t lack strength as it took mere four points difference to separate it from the winners, Eyimba FC of Aba.
He then urged the league management team to be alive to it’s responsibilities, making sure it start/end league with a minimum of two months break interval to enable the clubs prepare well.
While congratulating the Nigerian Golden Eaglets for their performance so far at the ongoing FIFA Under 17 Football Turnament where they are presently almost at par with Brazil, he maintained that despite the setback, Bendel Insurance FC was ready to stage a big come back this season with it’s reshuffling.
With the addition of new players and structural changes in management/training he stated that the players would be the highest paid in the national league as part of the move to stamp it’s psychological authority of belonging to the Nigerian professional league and premiership.
He promised equal pay for the female footballers, noting that they deserved even more haven proved their ability to tackle opponents at the round leather game. He also announced that their official lodge was almost ready for use.
