GOV. Otu Increase Pelican Stars FC Allowan
By: Edem Archibong, Calabar
The Cross River State Governnor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu has increased the monthly Management allowance for the first female team in Nigeria, the Pelican Stars Football Club from the poorly and disgraceful #5m to now become #15million monthly effect from March 2026.
This declaration was made in Calabar during the Stakeholders meeting convened by the Cross River State Sports Commission under its new Chairman Mr. Lowrance Etta during the unvieling meeting of the 3rd edition of Queens Cup Football Tournament initiated by her Excellency, Mrs. Eyoanwan Otu, wife of Governnor Otu.
The essence of the stakeholders meeting which includes members of Cross River State Sports Writers Association led by Comrade Mike Akpang to give open invitation to intending participating teams to come and indicate interest in taking part on the Queens Cup Football competition schedule to kick-off on 1st April 2026 while the final will take place on her Excellency’s birthday being 10th April to commemorate her birthday.
The Sports commission boss further revealed that unlike the last year football event, the 2026 edition of the Queen’s Cup tournament is expected for not less than 36 teams from all the 18 Local Government Council Areas are invited including any individual teams which are strictly based in the state.
The participating teams will be fully kitted with jersies for the championship provided they are domicile in the state.
Additionally, the 2026 edition will introduce 7 more sports events into the championship such as athletic, cowa game or an individual game can also collect the form which is given free and this can be online through the Sports commission website or come to the office to obtain the form while the closing date is on Monday next week.
This Queens Cup tournament is the brain child of her excllency with the purpose of caring for the aged, less privileges and the girl child through establishment of a foundation which is now using football because of her excllency partion for women football development.
He recalled her Excellency’s love for women football development which resulted to her promoting the former Pelican football star, Ekpoanwan who later captained the female National team to win luarels for Nigeria.
On the U.J. Esuene Stadium complex which have since become delipilated, Mr. Etta explained that Governnor Otu has concluded plans to renovate the state box and give it a face-lift while the entire stadium complex will be transform to reflect modern standard while the main administration block which was abandoned for the past 13 years is undergoing standard transformation.
End.