Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has increased Calabar Rovers’ subvention by 100 per cent as an incentive to aid the state-owned club’s bid to return to the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL).
Rovers, who were one of the country’s biggest clubs from the 1970s to late 1990s, have been languishing in the lower rungs of Nigerian football for over 20 years due to neglect by the state’s successive governments.
But Otu has promised to bring the side back to the limelight, while thanking the management and players of the club for holding the forte for the team over the years.
He increased Rovers FC’s subvention from N5 million to N10 million, saying the gesture underscores his determination to reposition football and sports in general in the state.
“Let me thank and congratulate you for what you have been doing over the years. Rovers is a club with a very rich history. This government is poised to promote sports as a business in the state,” he remarked while receiving the team’s players in his office.
Otu directed that immediate medical attention be given to injured footballers and promised to provide the team with a brand-new bus in 2025, as well as look into other teething challenges bothering the football club.
He also commended the Rovers Football Club’s 18-year-old goalkeeper, Clinton Andy, who was on international duties with Nigeria’s U-20 national team, for flying Cross River’s colours and making the state proud.
In her remarks, the state’s Commissioner for Sports Development, Mrs Agnes Atsu, said the players’ visit to the governor became necessary to present some challenges bedevilling Rovers Football Club, which is five games away from concluding the Nigerian National Football League.
Also speaking, the club’s captain, Inyang Asuquo, highlighted some of the issues facing the club including inadequate funding, a rickety team bus, poor medical attention to players and funding for players’ camping, among others.
