Sharks Dolphins Must Be Run Professionally – Commissioner

Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, Hon Fred Igwe has stated that all the state owned football clubsides, sharks, Dolphins and Rivers Angels must be organised and run professionally.

Also, proper documentations regarding contracts and number of players must be ensured so that everything would be on record.

Hon Igwe stated these at the weekend during the payment of full sign-on fees to players and managers of the clubsides in Port Harcourt.

Speaking during the handing over of cheques, the commissioner frowned at the non-existent contractual documents of the players and said that it was wrong to recruit and engage players on verbal agreements.

According to him, what we have done today is based in verbal claims which is not good for the system.

In my administration as the Sports Commissioner, I will ensure that every thing is done professionally. It is very wrong for a player to play without signing any contract.

These teams will run professional line from next season, there will be proper documentation.

All what we have done here today is just on verbal claims, Igwe said.

He pleaded with the players to call off their impending strike action now that they have been paid and urged them to put in their best to get the desired objectives.

The sports commissioner commended the state governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for the approval and release the funds.

Also speaking, the permanent secretary, Ministry of Sports Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, said that the provision of the funds was made available one month ago, but that the delay was to ensure that there were no mistakes.

According to Walter, Rivers State is the only state that is sponsoring three clubs in Nigeria.

I will tell you that the provision to pay the players and managers sign on fees was ready a month ago, but we needed to be careful so that we will not make mistakes.

“It is no record that Rivers State is the only State sponsoring three clubs in Nigeria” he said.

The permanent secretary, also urged the clubs to put in more efforts, so that they can win trophies for the state.

Responding, the technical adviser of Dolphins Fc, Stanley Eguma on behalf of the clubs managers, thanked the governor and the commissioner for sports over the payment of the sign on fees.

He stated that it was the first time sign on fees are paid 100 per cent, adding that it would boast the morale of both players and managers.

Eguma, assured the state government they would justify the money given to them.

Tonye Orabere