Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has raised the monthly subvention to state-owned Rovers Football Club from N5m to N10m.
The governor made the 100 percent increment when the club and its technical team paid a visit to him yesterday.
He said the increment underscores his determination to reposition football and sports in general in the state and to run football as a business.
He also promised to provide the team with a brand new bus in 2025, as well as look into other teething challenges bothering 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.
