Niger State Government has endorsed the appointment of Coach Hamza Abdulazeez Abarah as the interim Technical Adviser of the state darling team, Niger Tornadoes Football Club of Minna.
The state Commissioner of Sports Development, Hon. Emmanuel Duza Babur made this disclosure during a combined meeting between the management of the ministry and Tornadoes Football Club, Tuesday.
The management of the club had on Sunday asked Coach Hamza Abarah to take charge of the team on interim capacity following the resignation of Mr. Bernard Ogbe as the Technical Adviser of the club after a 3-1 defeat by Katsina United in the match day seven of the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL.
The Commissioner informed that he consulted with the state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello on the issue and he gave his blessings, saying the governor was committed to restoring the lost glory of the club and other sports in the state.
“I consulted with my principal, the Governor of the state, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello as regards to the appointment of the interim Technical Adviser and he gave his approval. You know the Governor is a sports loving Governor and he is committed to restoring the lost glory of sports in the state through his restoration agenda,” the Commissioner explained.
He also stressed the need for all stakeholders to wark towards salvaging the situation the state darling team found itself, and called on the management to work as a team.
The Commissioner further appealed during the meeting that the management of the club should lift the suspension of the Team Manager of the club, Usman Alfa Ziga who was suspended over five months ago, and was graciously adopted by the management of the club.
In his remark during the meeting, the Chairman of the club, Alhaji Mustapha Gawu appreciated the management of the ministry for its concern over the misfortune of the club.
He also informed the Commissioner about some of their challenges which the major one is the issue of funding, saying managing a Professional League club was expensive and that with adequate funding the club will compete favourably in the league.
Other officials who contributed during the meeting stressed the need for fortifying the team during the transfer window period, and pleaded that all hands must be on deck to rescue the team from its present predicament.
This is the second time Coach Hamza Abarah is being drafted to take charge of the team during crisis period.
He was appointed last season as the interim Technical Adviser of the club after the exit of Coach Erasmus Onu, where he played straight nine match unbeaten before the league ended abruptly.
Tornadoes sit last at group A log with three points from six matches, and will be host to visiting Sunshine Stars of Akure on Thursday, at the Bako Kontagora Stadium, Minna, in the match day seven of the NPFL.
