Ondo FA promises to address claims of disengaged staff, unveils new jerseys
The management of Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA) has said efforts were being made to critically address claims of some disengaged staff of the agency and clear them.
The Chairman of the Interim Committee of the Agency and Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, stated this while unveiling new jerseys and kits for Sunshine Stars and Sunshine Queens on Thursday in Akure.
The program was in collaboration with Future Horizon Ltd, a private investor partnering with the team.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the agency had reviewed its staff strength before the advent of the committee with many staff being owed several months.
Aiyedatiwa noted that since his appointment on March 30, 2021, he had prioritized the welfare of players and staff of the teams under the agency; Sunshine Stars and Sunshine Queens.
He noted that the agency, before the advent of the management committee, was in a state of shambles with Sunshine Stars swimming in the relegation zone and was able to rescue the team with different approaches and incentives put in place.
“It may interest you to note that this was possible through the efforts of Mr Governor, who has graciously approved funds for the interim management committee.
“All the arrears of salary and bonuses owed disengaged players and players currently playing for the club had been settled and salary and match bonuses are now being paid as and when due.
“However, efforts are on, to critically look into claims of some disengaged staff of the agency, to ascertain the genuineness of their claims and as soon as possible, clear all outstanding indebtedness inherited by the interim committee,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa said football was a veritable business if properly managed and administered and was part of the reasons the committee was put in place to bring in credible partners that would develop football in the state.
Earlier, the representative of Future Horizon, Mr Olarewaju Famakinwa, said they were impressed with the performance of Sunshine Stars with a minimal budget.
Famakinwa said the company would not stop with the partnership on the new jerseys alone but would look into other areas to benefit both the company and the clubs, so as to grow the revenue.
The Chairman of Ondo State Internal Revenue (ODIRS), applauded the gesture as he said it would boost the internally generated revenue of the state.
Also, a Business Mogul, Barr. Jimoh Ibrahim said football was a veritable tool to improve the IGR and was surprised that the club had developed and improved in terms of marketing.