Coach of Plateau Rocks, Alex Guwan, on Wednesday decried the current state of neglect being experienced by the team because of poor funding by the Plateau government. The Nigeria immigration team also told The PUNCH that they could not go to Asaba for the second phase of the Zenith Bank League due to poor funding and preparations.
Guwan told the News Agency of Nigeria in Jos that the team had been surviving on the goodwill of some well-meaning individuals in the state. But he added that the rough spell being experienced by the club had not in any way deterred it from performing well in the ongoing season.
He said, “We have qualified for the final phase of the Zenith Bank tournament, slated for June in Lagos, after we finished in the last eight in Asaba. I don’t know how we could have made it this far, if not for people who have interest in the game.
“I remember when we were going for the other two phases in Abuja and Asaba, we had to source for money from individuals. We are using this medium to appeal to the state government to release money to the team, to help us to participate well in the tournament.’’
The coach further said that the team had been given a one-week break for the players to rest after the strenuous competition.
“I am so impressed with the team and we thank God we didn’t have any serious case of injury during the tournament. We will put our heads together to see that we have a stronger team for the finals,” the coach added.
He called on supporters of the team to continue to throw their weight behind the team at all times, as it strived for honours in the country’s basketball circuit.