The management of Enyimba Football Club has dismissed the report alleging that the Abia State Government had refused to fund the club for years.
DAILY POST learnt that a publication by an online platform recently alleged that the Abia State Government had “starved Enyimba, Nigeria’s most successful club side, of funds in the past year”.
Reacting, in a statement issued and made available to DAILY POST on Monday, the Chairman of the club, Felix Anyansi Agwu described the report as a “monstrous falsehood” meant to damage the image of the club and the Abia Government.
He demanded the withdrawal of the report, stressing that the state government has been supportive in issues regarding the club.
The statement reads in part: “If there is one state with a government that supports football, that state is Abia State, which is why we are the most successful club in the country today. We have always had the support of this Government, salaries have been up to date and bonuses are paid regularly. Only this week the same government chartered a plane for the team to Libya and back. This is the action of a passionate and committed government, not one that has ‘starved Enyimba’.
“Further reflection of Governor Ikpeazu’s passion for Enyimba was in the play-off rounds of the CAF Confederation Cup when he handed $10,000 to the team after our win against Rivers United in Aba and another N10m after we defeated United in the return fixture in Port Harcourt.
“Are these the actions that of an unsupportive Governor, Remi Sulola? More examples abound that reinforces the lovely of the Government for the club, like the revamped stadium and improved welfare, but we will not try to educate the writer, desperately committed to mischief.
“Going forward, we will not accept any further attack on the office of the Governor of Abia State nor the Governor himself and demand for n end to this defamation of character of a Government that has helped Enyimba represent Nigeria as well as it has. That Nigeria has a team on the continent today is due to the spirited and timely endeavour of the Government of Abia State so these reckless lies are inexcusable.
“At Enyimba Football Club, we have a reputation for prompt payment of salaries and bonuses. Where there are factors beyond our control that delays these payments, we move mountains to ensure they are resolved in a timely fashion so players and officials are paid. We have the best interest of every member of our team because we thrive on our collective passion and team spirit.
“This shameful article that cites unnamed sources within our club for the dreadful lies it spins is an attempt to derail our progress, seeing as we are the only Nigerian club left on the continent, but we will resist it and focus on the task ahead. Nevertheless, we must condemn it in the strongest of terms and call for more ethical journalism, not this sponsored piece of horror fiction”.
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