I didn’t make you Executive Chairman of Heartland – Uzodinma tells former PDP Chairman
Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, has expressly told Barrister Charles Ezekwem that his role is purely ‘chairman of Heartland FC Interim Board.
Uzodinma made the clarification in a meeting with the chairman of the club’s interim board, Charles Ezekwem and the club’s General Manager, Chukwudi Ifeanyi.
This is in the aftermath of renewed power struggle between the two top officials following their reappointments after a prolonged fireworks in a battle for the soul of the club.
Checks reveal that soon after his reappointment, the club’s chairman wrote to NPFL, intimating the domestic league organisers of his return to his post, now in an executive position.
Similarly, the reappointed General Manager, equally wrote to NPFL, informing them about his return to his former post. NPFL, which only recognises the post of GM in clubs administrative organigram.
Worried by the development, the Governor told the interim board chairman that his position is not an ‘executive’ one, reminding him that his board was an ‘interim’ one.
Heartland are expected to participate in the Gov Ikpeazu Pre Season Football Tournament billed to hold in Aba from Friday November 15-25, 2020.
Ogunjobi Gold Cup Tournament takes delivery of ‘Fair Play’ trophy
The annual Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi Gold Cup Tournament which offers preseason opportunities for Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, clubs, has received a massive boost hours before the November 11 kick off date, Orient Sports understands.
This follows confirmation by organisers that a fair play trophy has been donated to the organising committee to be presented to the team with the best record as regards players conduct and respect to match officials during the 8th edition of the Ogunjobi Gold Cup in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The Fair Play Award donated by Mojeed Adegbindin, a board member of the Lagos State Football Association, LASFA.
Adegbindin, fondly called ‘Eshin’ by fans disclosed to the General Coordinator of the tournament, Tunde Shamsudeen his reason and plan for supporting the tournament with a fair play trophy.
“I have been following the Ogunjobi Gold Cup tournament and I say to the organizers that season after season, that you have been doing a superb job, providing a good platform for teams in our domestic leagues to prepare their squads for the season.
“Teams also get to know their strengths and weaknesses and also indirectly providing opportunities to rookies who distinguish themselves stand a sure chance of getting offers from top clubs who usually send scouts to the pre-season tournament.
“Since the beautiful game is a team sport, it won’t be out of place if the team that displays high level of sportsmanship is rewarded with the Fair Play trophy. Mind you, the award could be won by any team, strong and weak”, the cup donor explained.
General Coordinator of the tournament, Shamsudeen, did not hide his delight while thanking the Lagos State FA member for identifying with the Ogunjobi Gold Cup. He pointed out that Fair Play the award would change the mindset of teams as football globally is about RESPECT.
“I want to thank ‘Eshin’ for his kind gesture and I believe the award would go a long way in making the competition a more glamorous one”, Shamsudeen said.
The tournament will kick off today Wednesday, November 11, 2020, inside the magnificent Kwara State Sports Complex in Ilorin.
