….. ODSG Decision To Sell Sunshine Stars/Queens unpopular – Football Stakeholders
Football Stakeholders in Ondo State have described the decision of the State Government to sell off Sunshine Stars and Sunshine Queens as unpopular.
While the Stakeholders commended the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN for his achievements in other areas in the State, saying the current administration score cards in football sector is not too impressive.
The Convener of Ondo State Football Stakeholders Forum and pioneer Secretary of Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA) Otunba Dele Ologbese said the Forum was tired of dissipating energy in engaging Government on what he described as its relentless display of naivety.
He said: “It would be most appropriate to ask Governor Arakunrin Akeredolu to tell the whole world why he singlehandedly took such sensitive decision without inputs of Stakeholders and for him to point out any of his remarkable achievement in the sector since he assumed Office six years ago.
“This objective assessment is hinged on the fact that, he did a little in developing sports infrastructures and most importantly his inability in building Olympic size Stadium in the State like what immediate past Akwa Ibom State’s Governor, Goodwill Akpabio did by constructing an international Stadium in Uyo while Sunshine Stars survived relegations every season in the last six years except last season which they finished 10th on the log in Premier league.”
“It’s high level insensitivity and beaching of social contract in disposing off Ondo State’s peoples treasures- Sunshine Stars and Sunshine Queens at a period other States in the country are striving to have teams in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL)”.
“It’s on records Stakeholders severally had engaged Ondo State Government on how Sunshine Stars can be properly repositioned and becomes self financing without necessarily relying on government’s funding but unfortunately Government never listened to counselings.”
“Through his utterances and actions, the Governor is vehement in selling the two clubs outrightly and no Jupiter can stop him from going ahead with the planned action”
“It would be on record, that Stakeholders had always done the right thing in urging him not to carry out any action that could dent his records or hard earned integrity if he refuses to listen to the voice of reasons or wisdom pertaining to this sensitive matter.”
“Despite Mr Governor’s vehemence in pursuing this outrageous actions against the collective interests of Ondo State people, there’s still hope he would have quick rethink in not allowing the two cherished clubs go into extinction through his instrumentality.”
