1-Million Reward Fund: Ebonyi Sports Commissioner Debunks Misappropriation Allegations

..As Abakaliki FC Captain, Timothy Confirms Payment to All FA Cup Registered Players

The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development,Richard Idike has refuted claims of misappropriation surrounding a ₦1 million reward fund allocated for each of the players that participated in the just concluded president Federation Cup Final that Abakaliki FC came second position after penalty shoot out with Kwara United. Addressing journalists on Thursday, the Commissioner for sports, Idike described the allegations as baseless and ill motivated. He clarified that all funds disbursed by the ministry followed due process, with transparent documentation and approval by the club management.

"The Ministry remains committed to accountability and the growth of youth and sports development in Ebonyi State," the Commissioner said, urging the public to disregard what he termed as "false and malicious reports."

"For clarity, we have over forty players as a team, which some did not registered in the just concluded FA cup, but among the thirty four players that registered, they were all paid their One-Million naira as captured by the Governor. "Meanwhile, we gave one hundred thousand naira each to the remaining players who did not registered for their transportation as we embarked on break which this decision was taken during our meeting with the players.

He explained further that the money given to the remaining players are money sourced from what was giving to the officials who are twenty five in number stating that they agreed to accommodate those who were not captured among the sixteen official approved by the governor. "As for the supporters, one hundred supporters from Ebonyi who went to Lagos state all got thirty thousand naira each from three million given to them, while other supporters who are residents of Lagos state were given one million naira.

Contacting, the captain of Abakaliki FC, Cyril Timothy confirmed that all players who registered to participate in the just concluded FA Cup competition have all received their entitled payments. Speaking to our correspondent on telephone in the wave of the speculation of financial misappropriation, the captain expressed satisfaction with the club management for fulfilling their financial commitments to the team. "I can confidently say that all the players that registered for the FA Cup have gotten their one million naira reward," the captain said. Meanwhile, the assistant captain, Joseph Omah expressed displeasure with the disbursement, saying that only 28-29 players who registered in the FA cup got their complete one million each as the few others were given one hundred thousand naira being that they are in category of the players not registered for FA cup.