By Victor Okoye
Aminu Rinji, the Acting Chairman, Wikki Tourists Football Club of Bauchi, says the club is set to take its rightful place in the country’s apex league.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Wikki Tourists were relegated from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) to the Nigeria National League (NNL).
The Bauchi-based club side finished 9th out of 10 club sides in Group B at the end of the 2022/2023 abridged league season.
Rinji told NAN on Monday in Abuja that the Interim management of the club was doing a wonderful job, to bring back smiles to the faces of fans.
He said the performance of the team during the pre-season was a testament to the fact that the club was on its way back to its glory days.
“With the way things are going in the camp of Wikki Tourists, I can assure you we will be back in the next NPFL season Inn sha Allah.
“The feel good factor is back in the team which was evident during our pre-season games.
“The atmosphere in the stadium during the games tells you all you need to know about the massive work that is been done behind the scene in this team,” he said.
The chairman said that the team was now focused on achieving its goals within the shortest possible time.
He said that the club had put some new innovation and procedures in place, to checkmate all malpractices and misconducts which led to its decline in the past.
“Wikki Tourist now has focus and goals to achieve within a period of time. Every player has to fight to get a contract and fight for his place in the team.
“No bribe will give you anything in this football club anymore. If you doubt what I am saying ask the players,” he said.
He revealed that everything had been put in place to ensure that the players were comfortable and are willing to fight for the badge again.
Rinji said that the interim management was also working hard to ensure that talents are being developed at the grassroots.
“We want to ensure that the players earn good salaries so as to avoid any form of distraction.
“There is a plan for the home grown talents. Baggio is already back in the team and I have heard of a boy from Shira who is doing fabulously well.
“The Interim management wants to build a synergy between Wikki feeder and the U-15 with the main team,” he said.
He urged the players to work hard and make the state proud so as to justify the confidence reposed in them by the club management.
The chairman said that the club was still in the market in search of players who would add more value to the team.
“Wikki Tourist isn’t Manchester United but we now have a goalkeeper that can play with his legs and can do better than Andre Onana.
“We are in the market for a modern day number nine who can score goals. We shall be back in the NPFL next season Inn sha Allah,” he said.
He appreciated the governor of the state as well as the commissioner of Sports for all their efforts to revive and restore the fortunes of the club.
“They really are trying beyond their best possible to restore the club to its rightful place, but patience and prayers will always be key.
“Indeed, football has come alive again in Bauchi State,” he said.
NAN reports that Dec. 1 has been proposed as the commencement date for the 2023/2024 abridged NNL season.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Joseph Edeh
