By Ado Salisu
Players of Kano Pillars Volleyball team currently participating in the ongoing Nigerian Volleyball Federation Premier League in Abuja may be thrown out of their hotel due to the inability of the Kano State Sports Commission to pay their bills.
The former Nigerian champions, who won the Premier League twice and excelled in the Africa Confederation Cup are now in serious financial crisis which may likely affect their performance in the league.
Sources close to the team said that the players left Kano to Abuja with the anticipation and hope that Kano State Government will release funds to cover their allowances, accommodation and other logistics throughout the 16-day tournament.
It was gathered that the team had to borrow money for fuel and other incidentals in order to attend the championship in Abuja.
”As we are talking now, the players have been ejected by the hotel management despite our pleading. We had already communicated our situation to the acting chairman of Kano State Sports Commission, Dr. Murtala Musa Dagumawa for prmpt action.
”Honestly, sports generally in Kano, is experiencing serious financial challenge and it seems Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is not really concerned about the plight of players, coaches and officials,” a source explained.
When contacted, Dr. Dagumawa confirmed that there is serious financial challenge, but quickly added that the commission is doing everything possible to address the issue.
Dr. Dagumawa assured that the state government will continue to do its best to ensure that the state maintains its impressive outings at national and international engagements.
