…blames unpaid salaries, mgt’s attitude for decision
We’ll not miss Bala – TM
Kwara United coach, Abubakar Bala has resigned from his position with the Harmony Boys after a string of poor results.
Coach Bala’s quest to help Kwara United escape from relegation was dealt another blow at the weekend after they were held to a barren draw by Lobi Starsin a Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Matchday 17 fixture in Ilorin on Sunday.
The Harmony Boys had also played a goalless draw against Bendel Insurance, lost 0-2 to Enyimba and fell 1-2 to Rangers at home in their recent outings.
These unfavourable results leave Kwara United in the relegation zone with 20 points from 17 games and coach Bala has opted to resign.
Bala joined Kwara United from Niger Tornadoes and is the second coach in less than two weeks that has exited a position from NPFL clubs.
Coach Henry Makinwa had recently resigned from Abia Warriors after irreconcilable differences between him and the management of the team.
Meanwhile, Bala, has revealed why he resigned his position.
In a chat with journalists, the former Niger Tornadoes’ coach alleged that, amongst other reasons, the management of the club is not concerned with the welfare of the players with the team going three months without pay.
He said the attitude of the management towards the team became worse after the general elections which ushered in a new government.
“Yes, I have resigned from my position at Kwara United. Though we have a lot of problems that we have been managing, after the general elections, the management stopped showing no concern about the team again and the suffering is putting me through some health problems.
“Our result lately is also part of it because the atmosphere is not conducive. The welfare of the players is not a priority anymore and it is affecting their performance.
“This is the third month that we have not been paid, no bonus. Even during match, no feeding, so how can you expect the players to perform.
“You know Kwara State has financial problem not to talk of the club. The management too, since they knew that they will soon be removed they stopped caring. Two days ago, I called the chairman (Prince Thompson Oladimeji) we have not seen him for two weeks even the club secretary (Ibrahim Bako), nobody has been around the team.
“I cannot be suffering myself, no payment, looking for money to give players to feed, waiting for money for other things when I have the Under 20 team to join. I sacrificed that one and here I cannot settle down and work.
However, the management of Kwara United has denied all the allegations made by coach Bala.
Speaking with our reporter yesterday, the team manager, Jimoh Oke said to the best of his knowledge, the management did not owe the Coach any salary.
“We only owed the players two month salaries. All I know is that he has resigned and nobody is indispensable.
‘We have a good Lieutenant at hand. In fact our match against Rangers was not bad at all. We lost to poor officiating’, Oke said.
… Bill passes 2nd Reading
A Bill for a law to provide for the management of Kwara United Football Club has passed through second Reading at the floor of the House.
Leading other members in the debate on the general principles of the bill, the chairman of the House Committee on Information, Youth, Sports, Tourism and Culture and member representing Ilorin North West Constituency, Hon. Abdul-Rafiu Abdul-Rahman, said the bill will provide for management for the football club to ensure continuity and effective running of the outfit.
The bill, according to him, will also provide for Chairman, Executive Secretary and members of the Board as well as monitor its finances to ensure optimum performance.
In their contributions, the House Leader Hon. Hassan Oyeleke and member representing Kaiama/Kemanji/Wajibe Constituency, Hon Ahmed Ibn Mohammed, expressed confidence that the law which according to them, was long overdue, will guide its operation, as it had been operating before now on ad-hoc basis.
Meanwhile, the House has approved the list of chairman and members of the State House of Assembly Service Commission in line with section 4 (1) of the law establishing the Commission.
They are Hon. Abdul Azeez Babatunde Mohammed Chairman, while Hon. Nimota Aduke Ibrahim, Atolagbe S Alege, Alhaji Hassan Mahmudu Babako and Mr Alex Kehinde Bankole, will serve as members.
