Edo will ensure Insurance of Benin promotion to elite division, says official

The Edo State Government says its massive support to Bendel Insurance FC of Benin is to ensure they do not have excuses to scuttle their quest to gain promotion to the elite division of the league.

The Senior Special Assistant on Sports to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Sixtus Omokhagbo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Benin that the government had been ensuring that the players were given all they required to get back to their `rightful place’.

He talked against the backdrop of the team’s impressive 3-0 defeat of Nembe City of Yenagoa in their Nigeria National League (NNL) match in Benin. Omokhagbo said the government provided all the necessary logistics needed by the club to successfully prosecute their matches in the current season, adding, that apart from regularly ensuring payment of salaries of the players and their coaching crew, they also settle match bonuses as and when due.

According to him, because of the importance the government attached to the club and sports, salaries of the players and coaches were integrated into the state’s payroll system.

“This means that the players and their coaches receive their alerts as soon as the governor and the state civil servants receive theirs. “Their match bonuses are being handled as priority as they get it as soon as they conclude their matches.

“We have also ensured that the club’s guest house has been provided with amenities that will ensure the comfort of the players and their handlers. “It is based on these reasons that the government expects nothing short of promotion to the elite division at the end of current season.”

Coach Roland Ewere, who also spoke to NAN, expressed optimism that the club’s prime target was securing a promotion at the end of the current season.

He said the coaches and players have all resolved to meet that target. While noting that the state government had been supportive of their course, Ewere said the calibre of players in the club would be capable of achieving the set target.

“I have no doubt in my mind that the promotion target that we have set for ourselves is realisable judging from the players’ commitment and the support from government,” he added. Yesterday’s victory brings Insurance to seven points in Group B, which is led by First Bank on 10 points. Insurance will host Akwa Starlets on Saturday.

In other NNL Week Six matches played at the weekend, Niger Tornadoes defeated Gombe United 1-0, ABS beat Mighty Jets 1-0, the same result Yobe Stars recorded in their defeat of Kaduna United.

Plateau United walked over Spotlight< Akwa Starlets were held to a goalless draw by MFM, Adamawa United beat Supreme Court 1-0, Jigawa Golden Stars defeated Kogi United 1-0, while Prime triumphed over Go-Round by a lone goal. Abia Comets and Gateway of Abeokuta beat Ekiti United and First Bank by 1-0 respectively.