Edo commissioner denies imposing coach on Bendel Insurance

FEW days after he was appointed coach of Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin as part of efforts to revive the dwindling fortunes of the club, opposition has begun to trail the appointment of ex-international Bright Omokharo as coach of the club.

Some critical stakeholders of the club have alleged that Omokharo was imposed on the club without consultation. But in a statement yesterday, Edo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Iziegbe Anita Evbuomwan, described as laughable the allegations that she imposed Omokaro on Bendel Insurance Football Club.

A statement yesterday by the Public Relations Officer of the state Ministry of Youths and Sports, Precious Igbonwelundu, quoted the commissioner as saying that the club is owned and sponsored by the government, hence the interest of the club must at all times supersede the “selfish interest of any individual.”

He therefore urged supporters of Insurance to give unflinching support to the new coach and his team to enable them move the club forward. The statement quoted the commissioner as saying: “I laugh at such falsehood and mischief because Ekhosuehi knows that the management committee he chairs disqualified Lawrence Akpokona.

“A copy of the report signed by five of the committee members they sent to the ministry recommended six coaches as qualified for the position vis: Bauldwin Bazuaye, Idowu Obasuyi, Greg Ikhenoba, Roland Ewere, Clement Okolie and Bright Omokaro. Isn’t it funny that Ekhosuehi said he appointed Lawrence Akpokona?”

According to the commissioner, the committee could not agree on the choice of Bazuaye by Ekhosuehi over Omokaro because most of its members believed that Omokaro was more suitable.

Therefore, the ministry’s attention was drawn to the situation at which point it was agreed that all the coaches earlier screened, Akpokona inclusive, be invited for an interactive session with some experts, including Ambassador Fanny Amu, who is also a member of the management committee, and coach Amodu Shaibu.

“For reasons best known to Akpokona, he backed out and the panel having considered Bright Omokaro the second best candidate, recommended him for the job as well as his assistants.” the statement read.

The statement also denied allegations that there was crisis in the club: “Bendel Insurance is not in any crisis because the committee members and technical crew are working harmoniously ahead of a busy season.

“The club now has a functional secretariat and a conducive camp environment, even as screening of players to ensure that only the best are recruited for the state has long begun.”