Sports
Hotel Manager Locks Out Heartland Players Over Bills
Things turned from bad to worse for players of relegation-threatened Nigeria Professional Football League side Heartland FC on Saturday after they were locked out of their Down Town Hotel rooms in Owerri, the Imo State capital over unpaid N700,000 bills.
The management of the hotel, which is located at MCC- Uratta Road in Owerri, insisted that the players would not leave for Kaduna ahead of Sunday’s (today) NPFL encounter with Wikki Tourists until they settled their debt.
The manager of the hotel, Emma Oparanozie, told our correspondent, “They will not be allowed to go to their rooms to take their belongings until they pay me my money.”
He said the players of the struggling Imo State-owned club had lodged in the hotel for over one month with their management not paying a dime.
The enraged hotel manager added, “They owe me over N700,000. I have been feeding them for over a month now. They should pay me and leave. I don’t even want them here again. They want to leave for Kaduna today (Saturday) but that will not happen until they give me my money.
“The General Manager of the club was here asking me to allow the players to leave for Kaduna but I said ‘no.’ They must pay me first. This is what they did to me last year. As I speak to you, Heartland Queens owe me N1.6m for accommodations and feeding. They should ask the state government to give me my money. I don’t want them again.”
When contacted, the spokesperson for the club, Solomon Onu, said the issue would be settled.
Onu said, “I am not aware of the development but if there is any issue it will be settled because the owner of the hotel is a football enthusiast and member of Heartland FC family.”
Heartland are currently 18th in the 20-team NPFL with 23 points after 24 matches.
The players had earlier protested over several months of nonpayment of their salaries and allowances.
The National Division One and Division Two Volleyball Leagues organised by the Volleyball Federation of Nigeria and sponsored by Alex Otti has kicked off in Umuahia, Abia State.
The Championship features 34 teams from across the country, with about 22 States already participating in activities lined up for the ten-day event.
Addressing journalists at the Umuahia Stadium, the Referee Coach for the tournament and Vice Chairman Nigerian Volleyball Referees Association, Mohamed Mohamed, assured of fair officiating in the competition and advised the athletes to be more disciplined in the field of play, saying that volleyball is known to be a disciplined sport.
He also commended Governor Alex Otti for sponsoring the tournament for the second time.
“Last year, we were here, and we so appreciate the Abia State Government for sponsoring such a competition. The same thing happened this year too, we are here again.
The Coordinator, Lagos Women Run, Tayo Popoola, has stated that the All Women 10km Race aims to connect through their communities, while creating empowerment opportunities.
The 10th edition with the theme: “One Run, a thousand Opportunities,” will come up on the November 8th, 2025, with the start point at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere and end at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena, Onikan.
This year’s edition of the Lagos Women Run marks a significant milestone, celebrating the program’s journey, the vibrant city of Lagos, and the incredible women who have been part of it since its inception.
It will focus more on empowering women, acknowledging their dedication, and ensuring the program’s sustainability by providing participants with opportunities they deserve.
Popoola added that the race has achieved remarkable success in making women happy and uncovering talents, serving as a platform for participants to train for bigger road races, which fosters a strong sense of community, allowing women of all ages to connect, network, and celebrate themselves.
The event’s non-discriminatory nature makes it a level playing ground, open to everyone regardless of social status, by promoting general well-being among women.
The Franco-Malian tactician made the bold declaration whilst speaking to Nigerian legend Segun Odegbami on 90 Minutes with Mathematical on Eagle7FM on Saturday, expressing gratitude to fans for their support.
“Thanks to the fans. Thanks to Nigeria. I am so happy that I have brought back the smiles on their faces,” Chelle said.
“We beat Benin because the fans pushed the players. I ask them this: They have to do this (for the playoffs)… I plan to do my best for Nigeria, and Inshallah, we will go to the FIFA World Cup.”
Chelle, who took charge of a struggling Nigerian side in January, has transformed the team’s fortunes after inheriting a squad on the brink of disaster. Nigeria were winless in their first four qualifiers, with three draws and one defeat threatening to derail another World Cup dream.
Under his leadership, the Super Eagles rallied to win four and draw two of their last six games, collecting 14 points from a possible 18. The highlight came earlier this month in Uyo, where Nigeria swept past Benin Republic 4-0 in a statement victory that reignited national belief.
However, the revival was not enough to seal automatic qualification. Nigeria finished among the four best runners-up in Africa and must now navigate a continental playoff in November for a spot in next March’s intercontinental tie.
The first challenge is a one-legged showdown with Gabon, with Cameroon or DR Congo potentially waiting beyond.
Chelle’s message to his players was uncompromising, saying, “Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup is not a war, but it is like a war… My players need to have a warrior state of mind… They have to be like sharks.”