The Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has been called upon as a matter of urgency to stop using the sports appointments as reward system for his political boys and sycophants, in order to resuscitate the already dead sports sector in the state.
Akin Akinbobola, a former Nigerian Premier League board member and Head of Media, who frowned at how the Sunshine Stars FC went on relegation in Ijebu-Ode, following a 2-1 home defeat to Niger Tornadoes, however, said the development has left many stakeholders across Ondo State deeply disappointed.
Recall that Sunshine Stars FC have been relegated from the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, in Ijebu-Ode, following a 2-1 home defeat to Niger Tornadoes.
This marks the end of their 18-year run in the top flight.
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The defeat brings an end to the Owena Waves’ 18-year run in the top flight.
Bala Abubakar’s side occupy 19th position on the table, with 41 points from 39 matches.
Two more clubs will join Lobi Stars and Sunshine Stars in the NNL on the final day of the season.
Akinbobola, while speaking with journalists in Akure on Wednesday appealed to the Ondo State Government to urgently establish a committee of credible and experienced football administrators to ensure Sunshine Stars FC returns to the topflight next season.
Akinbobola, who was a former Chairman of Ondo State Football Agency and also a Senior Special Assistant to former Governor Olusegun Mimiko, said it was sad that the state did not have a stadium and the only manageable mini-stadium remained under construction for over a year.
He added that the relegation of Sunshine Stars was not the first as other sports like basketball, handball, volleyball either male or female have already relegated over the years due to the nonchalant attitude of the current government towards sports development.
“To the best of my knowledge, that place is not well-managed. To the best of my knowledge, mediocrity has crept into the very breadth of that place. How can you put a carpenter to go and become head of hospital management board? How can you put a medical doctor to go and be chairman Judiciary Commission? Failure is what you will get
According to him, “Sunshine Stars FC is currently not being managed professionally. How can a team endure three or four days on the road, in poor conditions, and still be expected to deliver quality results? The Ondo State Government must begin to prioritize the sports sector.
“As a matter of fact, Sunshine Stars FC and Sunshine Queens FC were once proud names in Nigerian football. Sunshine Stars FC represented Nigeria in continental competitions twice. Sunshine Queens FC is a former Federation Cup Champion. It is time for the state government to wake up and reposition these teams.
“Three or four seasons ago, I was called upon to help rescue Sunshine Stars FC after 18 winless matches. At the time, the club sat in 18th position. By God’s grace, we were able to lift the team out of the relegation zone.
“Today, under the current administration, this same club, our heritage and pride, has been relegated and this is a team that was once ranked among the top four clubs in Africa.
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“Sunshine Stars FC must make a strong comeback to the Nigerian Premier League in the coming season. The pride and passion of the fans demand nothing less than a revival of the club’s former glory and a return to top-flight football where it truly belongs. The Ondo State Sports Council needs a capable and visionary leader to help the state compete nationally.
“We have some of the best coaches in the country, but they are neither encouraged nor supported. We must come together to rescue the sports sector in Ondo State. The time to act is now.
“We have learnt that we are not using the right man power, we should stop appointing the wrong people to manage the sports. We are too sentimental, we must put the right people to manage the sports activities.
“Governor Aiyedatiwa should set up a sports commission and put rights peg in round holes. You don’t appoint people on sentiment. He (Aiyedatiwa) should redefine the Ondo State Sports Agency.
“We must bring back all our sports activities to life. We don’t want politicians to manage our sports activities in Ondo State, we want the sports lovers, real sports administrators to head the sports activities.
“Aiyedatiwa should help us to complete the ongoing renovation of Akure Sports Stadium.”
