The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on Tuesday, warned footballers against bribing officials to get recruited into Ekiti United Football Club and Ekiti Queens.
The governor issued the warning while unveiling Akin Olowookere and Jacob Vandy as Head Coaches of Ekiti United and Ekiti Queens, respectively.
Oyebamiji who was represented by the Commissioner for Finance, Akin Oyebode, said:“The era of asking for slots for players is gone. Nobody can come to our coaches and try to intimidate them.
“Nobody has the right to say that I have a player. The selection of our players will be done on merit.“
The Ekiti governor added that his administration is looking for ways to elevate Ekiti Queens to be champions and ensure that Ekiti United returns to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL)
“They have the full support of the Ekiti people to deliver the right results for them. We will support the team to ensure that the era of loaning players stops,” he said.
The governor disclosed that a site has been identified for the construction of an indoor Sports complex,
Speaking at the unveiling, the governor’s Technical Advisor on Sports Development, Olusola Osetoba, said that the recruitment of the coaches was conducted with due diligence.
She implored the new technical crew to keep their spirits awakened at all times with the vision and determination to fulfil the mandate given to them.
“We desire to see our two cherished football clubs competing in the CAF Champions League and beyond. This is indeed a new dawn filled with many possibilities,” she said.
Also speaking, Olowokere promised to take the clubs to the highest level of the Nigerian Football League.
“After the interview for the job, I already had it in my mind that the only thing that befits this team is for them to go back to the premiership.
“We are going to do everything possible within our powers to make sure that we take Ekiti United to the next level which is the premiership level.
“What happened last season is gone and I am going to open another chapter, and that chapter is to make sure we win our home matches and garner more points,” he said.