INSIDE THE CLUBS

Gombe United:
The Globacom Premier League club is also ready for the new season, according to its general coordinator, Mallam Farouk Yarma. The club coordinator, who also doubles as the Special Assistant on Sports to the Gombe State governor, told our correspondent that he is sure that the state government would off-set the outstanding balance of the players’ signing-on fees before the start of the season next month. Gombe United has only paid 30 per cent of signing-on fees of last season to its players but has been promptly paying salaries and match bonuses. “I am confident that the governor would do something about the signing-on fees of the players. Only 30 per cent of the signing-on fees have been paid remaining 70. We have been prompt in paying salaries and match bonuses to the players and let me remind you that we are one of the sides that pay the most match bonus of N30,000 per win,” Yarma.

Kwara United:
The Ilorin side has commenced its camping ahead of the new Globacom Premier League season. It has moved to the old town of Offa from the prying eyes of its fans in Ilorin. But the club would return to Ilorin on Friday ahead of its pre-season friendly against newcomer in the top-flight division, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC). Vice-chairman of the club, Abdulrasaq Owolabi Wopa, confirmed to our correspondent while in Ilorin for the just-concluded Super Four won by Heartland Football Club. After the friendly match against Shooting Stars on Saturday at the Ilorin Township Stadium, Kwara United would head for further camping in Kaduna and it would hold till the new season starts when the club visits Gateway Football Club in its opening game.

Gateway FC:
After playing most of the last season at the Gateway International Stadium in Ilaro, the club would return to its original home ground, the M.K.O. Abiola Stadium for the coming season. In another development, the team manager, Tony Rafua, declared in the open last week that the club spent a total of N80 million to prosecute last season. He even beat his chest that he can be quoted on the figure.

Nasarawa United:
It appears that the coach of the Lafia club, Evans Ogenyi, has decided to stay back at the relegated side. The club would begin life in the National Division I League next season and the former Ocean Boys’ head coach, who was earlier spoiled for war with the management of the club over unpaid arrears, is singing a new song. He wants to help the side return to the Globacom Premier League immediately by the end of the 2009/2010 season.