Oladimeji Thompson, the Chairman of Kwara United FC of Ilorin, on Wednesday promised to pay the salaries of its technical crew and players promptly to ensure promotion to the Premier League.

Thompson told the News Agency of Nigeria in Ilorin that since his assumption of office, he had ensured that salaries of players and officials were paid promptly. He said the club was not owing anyone for the season.

He said: "We will pay monies due to the players when necessary to serve as motivation for our promotion aspiration. "The players are the actors on the field of play, so their welfare is top priority for me.

"Though there are challenges, we are still managing to forge ahead. "I must give kudos to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, who despite meagre resources to the state, is still financing the team.

"The era of wasting tax payer's money is gone, so we will make use of monies we have judiciously." Thompson called on players, officials, management, stakeholders and supporters to put all hands on deck to ensure that the team was back to the Premier League next season.

He expressed confidence that with the preparations in place ahead of the commencement of the Nigeria National League on May 7, the Ilorin-based team would soar ahead of others.

NAN recalls that Kwara United is in Group A2 in the abridged format of the NNL alongside Adamawa United FC, FC Taraba, Wikki Feeders, Supreme Court, FC Zamfara, Dreams FC and Gombe United. The Harmony Boys would kick start its campaign on May 7 at home to Adamawa United. NAN