Heartland FC, Owerri is dead, says Hon. Rodney Ajaelu

www.odogwublog.com reports that Heartland FC, Owerri is dead, so to speak according to Hon. Rodney Ajaelu, the State Commissioner of Youth, Sports and Public Safety.

But there is good news, Imo State Government has advanced plans to overhaul the club for positive results.  The government regretted its poor performance that culminated the Eastern Heartland Pride going into relegation from the Nation’s Premier League Competition,

Hon. Rodney Ajaelu, the State Commissioner of Youth, Sports and Public Safety revealed this on Thursday in his office when the leadership of Imo State Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) paid him a courtesy call at his Ministry’s Secretariat.

Ajaelu said that the new Heartland FC will be anchored on discipline, attitudinal change and re-orientation noting these as among the factors that made the club go into relegation.

He seriously canvassed the need for private sectors participation in sports activities, growth and advancement stating that government may not have the financial discipline needed in advancing sporting issues.

The Commissioner also disclosed his plans to organize Sports Award nite, State Sports festival and development of games village within the three senatorial zones.

He commended Imo SWAN for their contributions in Sports development in the State and assured them of his efforts to ensure they regain their Secretariat from the State Sports Council.

Ajaelu also lamented on the deplorable conditions of Dan Anyiam Sports Complex informing that late last year the State Government spent over N1B in renovation of the complex and lampooned his predecessors for poor supervision and lack of financial discipline.

Earlier, Mr. John Nwaogu said the essence of the courtesy call is to fraternized with the commissioner and to thank Governor Rochas Okorocha for his appointment of the Commissioner to head Sports Ministry.

Nwaogu described Sports Journalism as a unique profession but lamented that the State Government is not carrying his members along in their sporting programmes.

He also decried the level of infrastructural decay at Dan Anyiam Sports Complex as well as vandalization of the State SWAN Secretariat by Sports men and women forcefully lodged there by management of the Sports Council.

The veteran Sports Journalist further expressed worried on the State preparation for the forthcoming 19th National Sports Festival.

Nwaogu further canvassed the need for grassroots sports development through talents hunt and sports motivational activities.