15th June, 2011
Governor Ibikunle Amosun has appealed to the protesting players and officials of Gateway Football Club to give his government time to settle their salary arrears.
The players and officials staged a peaceful protest at the Governor’s Office when Amosun was receiving the National Sports Festival Torch in the state yesterday.
While expressing dismay at the plight of the club, Amosun said: “I have listened to your case and I want to assure you that your six months arrears, owed by the last administration, will be paid. The government wants you to intensify your efforts to make sure that the club does not go to on relegation.â€
P.M.Sports gathered that the once bubbling Gateway FC have been struggling to survive. The darling team of Ogun State, who are currently sixth on the Division 1 League table, have lost hope of being promoted to the Premier League this season. Secretary of the team, Niyi Soleye, said early today that though the team have lost hope, but with the promise of Governor Amosun, he believes the club will soon be back on track.
He further revealed that the administration of Governor Gbenga Daniel owed the officials of the club about eight months salary, while the players were owed six months arrears.
“When we met with the governor yesterday, he gave us an assurance that all will be well as he has promised to off-set the debt. We pray that God will continue to guide and guard him,†one of the players said.
—Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta