Unicem Rovers Blame Club’s Poor Performance on Funding

The Unicem Rovers Football Club of Calabar may not see better days unless funding for the club improves, Chairman of the club, Maurice Inok said

“Paucity of funds has seriously affected our fortune and we call on the
state government to come to our aid urgently,” Inok said when he and senior officials of the club visited the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly.

The Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt.  Hon. John Gaul Lebo, told the management of Unicem Rovers that the club will return to it’s glory days soon.

Lebo said that the House would work with the
management of the team, and the state government to redeem the club
from the current situation.

“We are concerned about the club’s plight and are determined to ensure
its quick return to the top flight in Nigeria.

“I charge you to remain committed and continue to do your best so that together we can make the club not only a unifying factor, but also an avenue for social and economic development which the state
government cannot overlook,” the Speaker said.

Inok was accompanied to the visit by Club Vice-Chairman, Paul Attila Edum, members; Charles Unoh Eko, and Akoli Paul Unimke, as well as Team Manager, Ijani Okori, among others.

Remember that Unicem Rovers (formerly Calabar Rovers FC) are currently not in the Nigerian Premier League, they instead play in the lower division Nigerian National League. The club was disbanded after a controversial 13 – 0 loss to Akwa United on August 12, 2006.

They were, however, recalled by the government in May 2008 and renamed Unicem Rovers after United Cement Company (UNICEM), through whose patronage they entered the Nigerian National League in 2008-09 season where they still play till today.