Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has appointed former Nigeria international and 1994 African Footballer of the Year, Emmanuel Amuneke, as the Technical Manager of Heartland Football Club, Owerri.
The unveiling ceremony took place yesterday at the New Executive Council Chambers, Government House Owerri.
Governor Uzodimma emphasized that the appointment aims to “reposition Heartland Football Club for a brighter future, bringing joy to Imo people and football enthusiasts.”
The Governor recalled that when he assumed office in 2020, his administration inherited a Heartland Football Club that had been relegated.
Since then, he has made significant efforts to restore the club to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
He however regretted that recent events show that the Football Club has gone back to the drain again, “and can only come back to life by reorganising the administrative structure and reposition the management and technical team of the Club.”
The Governor said to deal with the situation on ground, he has been able to identify one of Nigeria’s best in football management and technical administration/know-how, in Amuneke, to manage and bring back Heartland FC to her past glory.
Governor Uzodimma therefore expressed joy that Amuneke has graciously accepted and agreed to take up the responsibility, noting that the “target of the technical team is that they must win the Premiership and go for Continental competition.”
The Governor assured that his government is committed towards “providing the necessary needs that will enable the technical team succeed and put joy and smile back on the faces of our people and bring back what Heartland FC used to be.”
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To make Amuneke’s job effective and seamless, devoid of unnecessary bureaucracy, the Governor offered to deal directly with his Management team through direct reportage to his office.
Responding to the offer, Amuneke thanked the Governor, government and people of Imo State for the privilege to serve and promised to do his best, humanly possible, to achieve the set target of bringing Heartland Football Club back to where it used to be.
He described the assignment as homecoming for him, noting that the assignment to succeed is a collective thing and that he is driven by the objective of ensuring success at any point in time because “the people deserve to have happiness and joy on their faces always.”
While unveiling was witnessed by all members of Imo Executive Council in attendance for an emergency Exco sitting of the State, the football tactician was accompanied by the management and staff of the Ministry of Sports Development in Imo State.