In a rescue designed deft move to return Heartland FC back to the Nigeria Professional Football League , the Honourable Commissioner for Sports, Youth and Social Development Hon. Emeka Okoronkwo and Board Members of Heartland FC have met to chart the way forward for the club.
The 3R Shared Prosperity Administration of His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma Governor, Imo State has done so much for sports in the State and to Heartland FC in particular and still ready to graciously support the club to come out of it quagmire.
The Commissioner further told them that in his just one month in office the structure for the success of the Club and return of her pride of place has been set up. The team profiling and players status establishment has been concluded.
“We shall do what is genuinely possible to return the Heartland Football Club back to it’s premiership status and notable winning ways,” the Commissioner said.
The meeting also reviewed other surrounding affairs/ strategic plan of the Club and resolved to embarked on necessary corrective measures in order to reinvigorate the darling football Club of Imo State and re-position it for greater sterling performances.
The Board Members pledged their commitment to be on hand to advise the club regularly and give their technical, moral and financial support in any ways they can.
In the proposed interventionist agenda code named ” Operation Return Heartland Football FC Back To Nigeria Professional Football League”, the Board acknowledged the significance of exploring other sources of funding for the Club, noting that Government in the face of dwindling resources cannot fund sports development alone , particularly football which on its own, can stand firm through a well coordinated sports marketing policy. Partnership with corporate organisations and individual lovers of the round leather game, as it is case in other climes.
As a starting point for this envisaged operational revitalization and repositioning of Heartland FC, Board Members solicited urgent provision of
enabling working environment such as a functional modern office, a sustainable budgeting system that is anchored on quarterly subvention which will upscale managerial capacity for effectiveness and efficiency.
Ongoing efforts by the Board to re– engineer the Heartland FC back to the premier league are; assembling tested and experienced players that are currently undergoing intensive training programmes , embarking on friendly matches which have started with a two grade A friendly matches.
The Honourable Commissioner for Sports, Youth and Social Development, expressed gratitude to Members of the Heartland FC Board for honouring his invitation at very short notice and, reassured the Board that Imo State Sports loving Governor, Dist Senator Hope Uzodimma is concerned about the fortunes of Heartland FC and will look into their submissions in order to bring back smiles on the faces of Imolites, lovers and followers of the game of football.
Important dignitaries present at the meeting were Rt. Hon Chyna Iwuanyanwu ( Deputy Speaker) ,Chief Promise Nwachukwu ( General Manager) , Ambassador Anozie Nzewuihe ( Ag. Chairman) and Chief (Sir) Jude Duruoma(C.E.O Mmiri motor) with the Honourable Commissioner for Youth Sports and Social Development, Emeka Okoronkwo as the Chief host.
