The Heartland Football Club of Owerri and their female counterpart, the Heartland Queens, on Saturday got their rare Christmas gifts from Governor Hope Uzodimma as they drove home two brand new 32-seater Coaster buses and one brand new 18-seater Executive Bus.

Presenting the buses to the officials of the Clubs at Government House Owerri, the Governor said the Heartland Football Club owns one 32-Seater Coaster bus and the 18-Seater Executive Bus, while the Heartland Queens will take one 32-Seater Coaster bus.

He commended and appreciated the footballers and their handlers for performing well so far with minimal support and urged them to do better as more encouragement will be inevitable.

Governor Uzodimma enjoined the supervising Ministry (Ministry of Sports Development) to reduce bureaucracy and allow the football Clubs managers, particularly the technical manager of Heartland Football Club, Emmanuel Amuneke, who is tested and trusted, and possesses the technical competence, the freehand to take responsibility for his actions.

He reiterated his earlier directive that Amuneke should have unfettered access to his office as regards his activities as technical manager.

Uzodimma remarked that the vehicles are to enable the Clubs bring laurels to the State and advised them, especially the drivers, to be careful about how they manage road traffic, bearing in mind that they are conveying Imo Ambassadors.

He assured of government continuous support to the male and female Clubs and urged Amuneke to show more commitment that will result in success at all times.

In his appreciation remarks, the Imo State Commissioner for Sports Development, Mr Obinna Onyeocha, thanked God for the day and particularly the Governor, for his fatherly support to the Ministry and the Football Clubs, noting that the donation of the buses ?is just one out of many of such supports.?

He assured that the buses will be put to proper use and for the purpose they are meant for, even as he promised that they will be properly maintained.

Present at the ceremony were the Speaker Imo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chike Olemgbe and some of his colleagues, the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmos Iwu, the Chief of Staff, Barr Nnamdi Anyaehie and some members of the State expanded Executive Council.

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