With less than a week to the commencement of the new Nigeria Professional Football League season, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State on Wednesday assured players and management of Plateau United Football Club of Jos, of his administration’s support, saying because of his passion for the game, the club will be managed from his office.
Lalong gave the assurance when he visited the club’s training ground at the Rwang Pam township stadium Jos, during their training session.
The governor who addressed the players and management of the club after watching them trained, said his visit was mainly to serve as moral booster for the players ahead of the upcoming season, which starts 14th January, 2016, with Plateau Utd FC playing away to Remo Stars.
“I had to come today, because I want to be here from beginning of the season, because last time I came middle of the season.
The Governor said the early months of turbulence were over, “so we are now facing whatever were our projects squarely and that includes sports. And you know my passion about sports, not only that also as a former footballer like you.
“Above all just to give you assurance, that all the challenges your General Manager is telling me about, I’m not worried about them, we will clear all the challenges.
“Before my coming here I saw the file of Plateau Utd on my table, I said I cannot come here without approving the file, so I quickly approved it. Because I know by doing so will give you all the needed comfort to play your matches.
“I want you to assure me that by end of the first round of matches this coming season, infact just do your best to the encouragement of the State and see what I will do, in the second phase”, he assured.
“But my prayer is for us to pick a continental ticket at the end of the season, so that we can enjoy both the league and continental football.
Lalong further assured the board of the club would soon be put in place.
“That is why I told them that Plateau United Football Club would be managed in my office, just as other sports especially those within the league are managed in my office, so that oversee any challenge or confusion, so that will know how to manage the situation.
“For the players, I know you came from different places, so with me you can’t go to another club, if you are going out of this club by God’s grace, it should be to the national teams, either super eagles or flying eagles.
Also speaking, General Manager of the club, Mr. Pius Henwan, said, “When I approached the governor to come and bless the team, before the commencement of the season, he did not hesitate and he kept his promise.
Henwan said as a lover of sports, the governor has always encouraged the team, hence the need to ensure that the club qualifies to play continental football at the end of the season.
He added that the coming of the Governor was a moral booster ahead of the upcoming season and he believes the players will give in their best to achieve the desired target.
Ahead of the coming season, Plateau Utd has 42 players in its books, out of which 16 were brought in this season.
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