EDO State's Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon Iziegbe Anita Evbuomwan has denied personal sentiment in the appointment of Coach Bright Omokaro as the chief coach of the State-owned Bendel Insurance FC.The chairman of the club, Chief Gbinomwanhia Ekhosuehi had said that the commissioner imposed Omokaro on the team despite placing second behind Lawrence Akpokona during the interview that had six coaches in attendance.'I laugh at such falsehood and mischief because Chief Ekhosuehi knows that the Management Committee he chairs disqualified Coach 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. They are Baldwin Bazuaye, Idowu Obasuyi, Greg Ikhenoba, Roland Ewere, Clement Okolie, and Bright Omokaro. Isn't it funny that Chief Ekhosuehi said he appointed Lawrence Akpokona,'' Evbuomwan asked.'The Committee could not agree on the choice of Baldwin Bazuaye by Chief Ekhosuehi over Bright Omokaro because most of its members believed Omokaro was more suitable, hence the Ministry's attention was drawn to the situation at which point it was agreed that all the coaches earlier screened including Akpokona be invited for an interactive session with some experts including former national team coach, Fanny Amu, who is also a member of the management committee, and Coach Amodu Shuaibu,''For reasons best known to Akpokona, he backed out and the panel having considered Bright Omokaro the second best candidate, recommended him for the . I am sure that Chief Ekhosuehi knows these details,' she said.Furthermore, 'I am not aware if Chief Ekhosuehi has stepped aside as Chairman, Bendel Insurance FC management committee because Government has not received any letter from him stating so. Moreover, 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.' Commissioner noted.Meanwhile, all efforts to reach Chief Ekhosuehi for his own part of the story proved abortive as the mobile line was not available as time of reporting.
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