Former Nigerian International and Nigerian representative of Tico/Select Sports Companies, Ifeanyi Ekwueme has vowed to deploy “all available means” to squeeze out N21m owed him by Heartland FC Owerri.
Ekwueme, who was the club’s Sporting Director, is unhappy that all efforts made to draw the Management’s attention to the debt had been rebuffed.
His words; “I signed three years contract with Heartland FC for supply of football equipments and until date I have not failed to meet my part of the agreements. We even supplied more than what we are supposed to supply, still they’re owing my company N21 million since 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 seasons”.
“Due to such debt I have lost my contract jobs with my European counterparts. I helped them because I am from the state and was Sporting Director of the club. This was why I kept supplying equipments trusting that I will be paid.”
He continued: “I supplied the jerseys and equipments they are currently using this season without being paid, not minding that they had not paid for the previous season. The Select balls I supplied them for this season is similar to the one being used in the Bundesliga, yet they have refused to pay me. Frankly, I regret all this because there is no iota of appreciation from them.”
He is more appalled at the nonchalant attitude of those at the helms of affairs, who should speedily deal with the matter.
“I have served the club series of letters through my lawyer and copied the Heartland FC General Manager , Ifeanyi Chukwudi, Commissioner For Youths and Sports Development ,Hon. Dan Ogu and Deputy Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Amarachi Iwuanyanwu. Yet no response from anyone”, he added.
Ekwueme, who is currently the CEO of Apex Krane FC, has resolved to deploy every possible legal means to get paid.
“I have had enough and I am running out of patience. One good turn deserves another. I am going to use all necessary means to get my money. I am going to sue the club next week and copy League Management Company, NFF and FIFA. I just want to make it public first, so that nobody will blame me when I start my own”, he said.
