Coach Tasks Companies On Club Ownership

The Chief Coach of Port Harcourt Pillars FC, Godfrey Ojo, has called on Rivers State Government to request companies in the state to own and sponsor football clubs. 
He stated that it was important for companies to at least sponsor a football club as it was in the 80s, adding that owning football clubs, is not exclusive right for governments. 
Ojo, made the call on Saturday, shortly after the team’s training session at the St Andrew’s Primary School, Mile Diobu, Port Harcourt.
Coach Ojo expressed displeasure over companies not getting involved in sports development in the state, saying it is disheartening to have so many companies and not helping to develop sports, unlike in Lagos State.  
According to him, football today is a big business and I believe it is only Rivers State that has not reliased that. 
“There are a lot of talents waiting to get exposure and groom.  
Football is a big business, if you go to Lagos, you would see companies, ex-internationals owning football clubs but in Rivers State, no one. 
Grassroots football excels more in Lagos State than any other state in the country.
We have not seen football as a business in Rivers State.
In those days, companies owned football clubs, the likes of NPA, Julius Bergar, Union Bank and so on.
Government should urge companies to own football clubs.
When I was younger, we played primary school games and you see companies and banks supporting” he stated.

By: Kiadum Edookor