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…He wants Amuneke’s role defined
By Ori Martins
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Imo State Chapter, has expressed its disappointment over the failure of Heartland FC to gain promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) after a disappointing Nigeria National League campaign.
In a statement made available in Owerri and signed by its president, Cosmos Chukwuemeka, Imo SWAN said: “This marks the first time in the club’s history that it has been relegated and failed to immediately return to the elite division after playing in the NNL, a development that has left Imolites deeply concerned, given the club’s pedigree as one of Nigeria’s traditional footballing institutions.”
The sports journalists association noted that in seasons in which Heartland were relegated and failed to gain immediate promotion, Emmenuel Amuneke, the manager, held multiple roles that could have distracted him from concentrating on his job.
According to the association, “Imo SWAN noted that under the leadership of coach Emmanuel Amuneke (MFR), who simultaneously served as technical director, general manager and president, the team was relegated from the NPFL and has now failed to gain promotion. While commending Amuneke’s efforts in ensuring timely payment of salaries, the association highlighted that the workload placed on him has been excessive, with many of its support staff members still learning on the job.”
The President therefore calls on the Imo State Government led by Sen Hope Uzodimma to assign Amuneke to a particular assignment if the 1988 CAF Champions League silver medalist is to be restored to victory. The press release said; “Imo SWAN, therefore, recommends that Amuneke be given a clearly defined role, either as General Director overseeing the administration of the club or as Technical Advisor focused exclusively on football matters, to ensure efficiency and better results.”
For Heartland, who also won silver in the 1982 WAFU Cup competition to function effectively and compete favorably in the elite football league once again, Imo SWAN proposed the ideas as follows; “Furthermore, the association recommends a review of the behind-the-scenes staff involved in running the club’s affairs and suggests that competent professionals be employed to reposition the club.”
He added: “However, the body stresses that the current state of the five-time former Nigerian champions is unacceptable and urges immediate reforms to align the club with global best practices, restore pride in the team and restore it to its rightful place in Nigerian football.”
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