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By Emma Njoku
Ex-Super Falcons’ star, Patience Avre-Odeli, has passionately appealed to Delta State Governor, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, to end the poor treatment of players of Warri Wolves Football Club for the team to make the desired impact in the Nigeria Premier League (NPL).
Speaking from her Chicago, USA base, recently, Avre said she shed tears on seeing the poor condition of the players before their scoreless draw with visiting Kwara United FC of Ilorin, in a Week 4 game of the NPL at the Ozoro Stadium.
“I wept as I watched clips of Warri Wolves during their training. They did not look well fed and their general welfare is apparently compromised by the Delta State government.
“They looked like an amateur team. What is Governor Oborevwori doing in such slave like situation?”, wondered the ex-Super Falcons striker, who began her sports career as a sprinter before playing for Ufuoma Babes FC of Warri and Princess Jegede Queens of Lagos.
Avre-Odeli, who said she is constantly in touch with sports developments in Delta State, urged Governor Oborevwori to quickly intervene on Warri Wolves’ “slave camp” or risk the team’s return to the Nigeria National League (NNL).
“For instance, faceless officials of Delta State Sports Commission are making moves to engage Warri Wolves’ players in a tortuous two-day road journey to Maiduguri, Borno State, for a Week 5 NPL fixture. Can’t the Oil-rich Delta State airlift her ambassadors to and from Maiduguri?
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“Why is the team shuttling between Warri and Ozoro for their training and matches? Why is it taking decades to construct a standard stadium after hungry politicians rubished the sub-standard Warri Stadium?,” asked a visibily angry Avre.
She continued: “Governor Oborevwori must not let sycophants mislead him. Remember how the state lost her leading position at the South South and National Youth Games in Uyo and Asaba, respectively.
“It’s hard to believe that our state government failed to officially host and appreciate Warri Wolves on the team’s return to the NPL. Sign on fees and allowances for two wins and a draw are yet to be fully paid amid plan of a road trip to Maiduguri.
The home draw with Kwara United could be traced to some officials who threatened to sack ‘dead woods’ immediately after a hard-earned 1 – 0 win over old-timers, Rangers International of Enugu, in Ozoro”.
Avre-Odeli, who has been championing ex-Super Falcons’ plea for President Bola Tinubu to compensate former winners of WAFCON, reminded Governor Oborevwori that Warri Wolves would do better if fully motivated as to true professionals.
“It’s a new season, but there is too much amateurism in the management of Warri Wolves. The club’s facilities, welfare, and mobilisation are not encouraging. If the state is not ready for professional football, it should be made clear early enough. I implore other sports-loving Deltans to be at alert. Let’s not let Warri Wolves be relegated again”, she pleaded.
