Hon. Dapo Lam-Adesina has sent his congratulatory message to the players and entire management team of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) for its tenacity to secure promotion back to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
While expressing his happiness about the elevation of Oluyole Warriors to NPFL, the former Commissioner for Youth and Sports also commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his unwavering support and dedication to sports development in the state.
It would be recalled that Oluyole Warriors defeated Ekiti United FC 6-0 in the final game of the Super 8, to emerge winner of the Group B Conference. Before then, the Oluyole Warriors as they are fondly called, had earlier defeated Bendel Insurance 2-1 and played 1-1 against Remo Stars FC to garner a total of seven points. The Ibadan soccer lords are expected to play Niger Tornadoes FC of Niger, who topped Group A of the Super 8 on Sunday, to determine the overall winner of the 2020/21 Nigeria National League.
In a statement personally signed, Lam-Adesina said that “I am happy with the promotion and cannot hide it. I need to say that in the last few days, 3SC has been the only thing on the lips of many of us. My friends from the other party are not left out. We forgot our political leanings. We were all calling one another to know the latest about the club, especially as it regards the about-to-be concluded Super 8. That is the power of sport.
“The players and management should not rest yet. They should go all out tomorrow to show that their winning is not a fluke, and defeat the winner of group A to emerge overall winner of the Nigeria National League.
“3SC is a club that is very dear to the hearts of many of us. I grew up to love Shooting Stars. Before then, we have heard stories about the metamorphosis of the club.
“It is one club that has a huge fan base that is yet to be tapped. Everything is not about politics. We should not even attempt to politicize sports.
“Irrespective of our political leanings, a stakeholders’ meeting is imminent before the new season kicks off. 3SC should be in the league of NPFL winners and continental regulars. And if at all we cannot make that, the team should not be playing in NNL any longer.
“I am so happy for 3SC’s promotion. I will also like to task the governor on other clubs like Crown FC. It is not a bad investment if we can have more than one club-side playing in the premier league. Apart from the fact that it increases revenue base, sports, and football especially, help in taming youth restiveness and other anti-social behavior.
“I must not forget to advise the governor and the Honourable sports minister, Mr.Sunday Dare on the need to work together to ensure sports development assume higher dimension during their time,” the All Progressives Congress, APC Chieftain, said.
