Heartland FC up for sale?

Chairman, Imo Football Association, Amanze Ucheagbulam, has recommended the sale of the Imo State-owned Heartland FC to individuals, to address the club’s funding problems.

He made the recommendation in a chat with newsmen in Owerri on Thursday, against the backdrop of unpaid salaries and allowances owed the club’s players.

Our correspondent learned that the club receive N30m monthly allocation from the Imo State Government, with N17m budgeted for players and staff salaries, but club officials have often been accused of funds misappropriation.

But Governor Hope Uzodimma has reportedly had to rescue the club financially on several occasions. Ucheagbulam expressed his conviction that an independent management for the club would yield greater revenues to subsequently address arrears owed in emoluments.

The FA chairman added that the government may choose to retain part ownership of the club through a partnership. He decried the “incessant complaints” of the players, coaches, and officials over non-payment of salaries, bonuses and match allowances by the government.

“I am tired of complaints of unpaid remuneration and we cannot continue to run the club like this. If the load is too much for the government, I will advise that the club be sold to Imo people, who will buy it as shareholders while the state government retains part ownership,” he said.

He further stated that the funds raised as shares could be used for the effective running of the club by the shareholders, through a board and management team. Ucheagbulam regretted that the club were only five points away from relegation from the Nigeria Professional Football League, owing to poor player morale, caused by non-payment of salaries.

He, however, allayed the fear of the club going into relegation because, according to him, it would most certainly cost more money to come out of relegation.