In a show of appreciation for their performance, the Governor announced a donation of N100 million for the players and their managers which he said will come through extra-budgetary allocation.

Hosting the team to a dinner party  in  Owerri on Wednesday night,  Governor Uzodimma said: “My heart is full of joy for receiving you this evening with a double barrel honours.”

“When they reached out to us we responded, offered our support and today we are celebrating them,” informing that he is very happy that the Heartland  Football Club is back to the Premiership League.

“In today’s world, we cannot do without sports. “In my government I cannot do without Heartland.”

He, however, encouraged them to carry along the Heartland Queens, noting that he is also interested in Heartland Queens winning.

Other Top Stories:

• Ex-Vice President Flags Off ‘Future Perspectives’, Says Education Can Help Challenges Of Developing Nations
• Tinubu Okays Appointment Of Three DCGs, ACGs For Customs
• Apostle Suleman Cautions Happie Boys Against Disrespecting Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere
• Delta Governor Felicitates Asagba Of Asaba At 99

He said: “Now that you have shown that you can win, government can show that they can support.I am rewarding your efforts with a cash of N100 million and this money is not part of your salaries nor running cost but to be shared among.”

“We must ensure that sports are properly organized and managed so that Imo State will become the centre focus of sports activities.”

“I will encourage you to continue to work hard because I don’t want you to be just champions now, I want you to be continental champions.”

He thanked the team that won the trophy,  reiterating that he will encourage them to win more goals.

The Governor also used the opportunity to direct the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development to arrange a dinner with the Heartland Queens.

Presenting the trophies, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development,  Emeka Okoronkwo, said that they came to present to the governor the trophies  the team won after 16 unbeaten games in the NNL and returned to the topflight NPFL in less than five months after relegation, “the first of its kind in history of football in Nigeria.”

He said that “the team has formed major component of the Governor’s administration and this has materialised in what we seeing here today.”

He said that they could not have achieved the feat without His Excellency’s fatherly care and support, adducing that their aim is to go forward in gunning for continental ticket by the end of the new season.NYSC Portal