The Okirika Local Government Area Football Team, Okirika United FC, on Wednesday, accused the Football Association (FA) under the Rivers State Ministry of Sports of failing to pay their prize money after emerging victorious in the Simplified Cup competition.
The team’s Assistant Coach, Charles Medford, who spoke to journalists, expressed disappointment and frustration over the non-payment of the prize money, which was presented to them in a cheque of N7m during the finals of the competition on November 15.
According to the Assistant coach, the team has not received any payment or communication from the FA or the Ministry of Sports since the presentation of the cheque.
He noted that the team’s players, who have been in camp for over three months, are becoming restless and are accusing the team’s management of withholding the prize money.
He said: “It was organized by the FA under the Rivers State Ministry of Sports and is a big competition. It is tagged Simplified Cup, which means that the Governor of the state our dear Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara is using the means to improve Sports and put together Youth from various LGA to make life meaningful and also scout for players to go to higher clubs and all that. It is a thing of joy for every LGA to participate.
“Okirika LGA came out victorious against our brothers, friends, our family the Eleme LGA. We won them by 3-1.
“After the finals, it was so surprising that the acting state Chairman of FA presented a cheque of N7m to us, then N5m to Eleme who were the runners up and then N3m to Andoni LGA who came third.
“Till now, we have not seen anything. They only use us to snap a picture that they will be giving us money and all that.
“It’s been over two weeks now. We played in the finals on the 15th of November. Till today we have not seen anything. No calls from anywhere, we are trying to know what is happening through the FA, but nothing is happening, no information at all.
“And then you know players could also go deviant. When athletes perform, there is no reward for their hard work. Most of these players have been in the camp for over three months and some of them are not from our LGA, some are from our LGA.
“It is a football tournament, it gives room for talents across the country to come and participate.”
The coach appealed to the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, to intervene in the matter and ensure that the prize money was paid to the team.
He noted that the competition was organized by the FA under the Rivers State Ministry of Sports to promote sports development and scout for talented players in the state.
The Simplified Cup competition, which was tagged as a big competition, was designed to bring together youth from various local government areas in the state to compete and showcase their talents.
The competition was won by Okirika United FC, who defeated Eleme LGA 3-1 in the finals.
The coach expressed concern that the non-payment of the prize money could lead to deviant behaviour among the players, who have worked hard to win the competition.
He also noted that the team’s fans, who supported them throughout the competition, are also expecting something in return.
The Okirika United FC’s victory in the Simplified Cup competition was seen as a morale booster for the team and the local government area.
However, the non-payment of the prize money has cast a shadow over the team’s victory and has left the players and their fans feeling disappointed and frustrated.
The Rivers State Government has been called upon to intervene in the matter and ensure that the prize money is paid to the team.
The government’s intervention is seen as crucial in promoting sports development and encouraging talented players in the state.
Responding, the Rivers Football Association (FA) Secretary Omiete Tamuno, confirmed the tournament prize money had not been paid.
He clarified that the prize money had not been transmitted to the state Football Association for onward payment, adding that the reason for the delay is unknown to him.
“The prize money has not been given to them. I cannot speak on the reason behind the delay, what I can say is that as FA, the money has not been released to us.”
He however promised to refer our correspondent to the FA Board Chairman, for more details but had yet to do so when this report was filed.
Rivers: Okirika United Cry Foul Over Unpaid Prize Money is first published on The Whistler Newspaper