27th May, 2014
Abiodun Onafuye, Abeokuta
Ogun State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Prince Lanre Tejuosho has reiterated the desire of the state government to see the state’s team, Gateway United Football Club gain promotion to the elite division of Nigerian league, Glo Premier League next season from the Pro League.
Tejusoho said Ibikunle Amosun’s government put in place motivational packages to ensure that players and their coaches lack nothing in their bid to reach the Premier League.
He praised Gov. Amosun for his moral and financial support for the team, adding that to whom much is given much is expected.
“The governor has done so much for the team and we cannot afford to disappoint him. We have paid sign-on fees and increased salaries of the players during the 2011/2012 season. The players have been informed and agreed that from next season, we would be paying only enhanced salaries to the players, while technical crew of coaches and Team Managers will collect only sign-on fees.
“All these and many other morale boosters from the governor must be well utilised and rewarded by getting the promotion ticket. No negotiation about this,” the Sports Commissioner asserted.
On the crisis rocking the club, he said that the Ministry is undergoing restructuring of the team and will leave nothing to chance to ensure that the team bounce back.
Coach Henry Nwosu led coaching crew was suspended by the Ministry at the end of the first half of the season, while some retired state’s coaches were drafted to the team.
Tejuoso explained that the management of the club was not comfortable with the performance of the club, a reason some punitive measures were put in place to put the coaching crew and the players on their toes, noting that no one has been sacked.
He expressed his displeasure with the failure of the club to win their away matches, which he handed down as the condition for the coaches to retain their jobs.
The team had been in a close camp in the last two weeks at Otunba Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu Ode, for the final leg of the season, which kicked off last Saturday.