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Players
of Bendel Insurance Football Club yesterday called for the sack of Edo
State Commissioner of Youths and Sports Development, Anita Iyiegbe
Evbuomwan, over the non-payment of their seven months salaries, sign-on
fees and match bonuses as well as general lack of care from the
government.

The angry players
held workers of the ministry hostage for several hours as they locked
the gates to the main entrance of the ministry, preventing workers from
going in or coming out as they sang: “we want our money,” “commissioner
must go,” “pay us our match bonuses.” Assistant captain of the club,
Robson Aituayuwa, said that they have not been paid salaries, match
bonuses, Christmas and New Year allowances and other entitlements
September 2010.

Aituayuwa
specifically accused Evbuomwan of playing games with their requests,
adding that if their legitimate demands were met, the club would gain
promotion to the Premiership.

He said the
non-payment of their entitlements has led to the inability of most of
the players to take good care of their families just as he alleged the
lack of concern from the present administration in the state.

“Can you imagine
that we were travelling to Lagos to prosecute a match and we had an
accident on the way? But up till now, neither the governor nor the
commissioner has visited us. It was Lagos State Governor who heard about
it that sent somebody to us in the hospital and the hotel where we were
lodged,” Aituayuwa stated.

The Benin-based
players who were packed in their 36-seater bus, had earlier protested
across some major streets in Benin City before moving to the Ministry of
Youths and Sports where they locked up the entrance gates.

Plea for patience

Chairman of the
club, Igbinomwanhia Ekhosuehi who was at the ministry when the players
stormed the ministry, urged the players to make their protest
violence-free and avoid unnecessary destruction.

Ekhosuehi revealed
that the club has received only N3 million since September last year for
the prosecution of the league this season, a situation that he said was
responsible for the poor performance of the club, being on the 14th
position of the Division One table.

He pleaded for the
release of money for payment of the players’ entitlements in order to
boost their morale so as to gain promotion into the top flight this
season.

When contacted, the
state Commissioner for Sports, Evbuomwan said the ministry was already
working on the matter. Also, Chief of Staff to Governor Adams
Oshiomhole, Osarodion Ogie, promised that something positive would be
done before the end of the week.