STAKEHOLDERS MEET TO REVIVE ONDO FOOTBALL CLUBS; ISSUES RESOLUTION

STAKEHOLDERS MEET TO REVIVE ONDO FOOTBALL CLUBS; ISSUES RESOLUTION

Important Stakeholder in the Ondo State Football which is made up of technocrats and managers, referees and coaches both active and retired, football veterans or ex internationals, representatives of private and State clubs including former commissioners for sports, former Chairmen and Board members of Ondo State Football Agency and Ondo State Sports Council and host of other eminent personalities who are involved in promoting football in the State have met to address the array of issues affecting the State Football Teams, the Sunshine Stars and Sunshine Queens.

The teeming stakeholders who are very interested in government’s revival of the dwindling fortunes of Sunshine Stars FC and Sunshine Queens FC both of Akure met online on Monday, March 29, 2021 and came up with the following resolutions after extensive deliberations:

1. That Ondo State Government should as a matter of urgency constitute a management board for the Ondo State Football Agency, ODSFA or a separate board for Sunshine Stars FC and Sunshine Queens FC towards rescuing the team from relegation. Particulate considerations should be given to the appointment of credible and experienced professionals who would run the clubs’ affairs effectively and efficiently;
2. That the State Government should as a matter of top priority and urgency give proper attention to proper funding of the two Clubs under its direct management with special considerations to payments of outstanding salaries and other entitlements of players, technical crew and backroom staff. This would further motivate them perform optimally while adequate funds should be released to the two teams for prosecuting of their home and away matches.
3. That in beefing up Sunshine Stars FC preparatory to the second round of the Premier League, appropriate funds should be allocated to it for procurements of quality players before close of transfer windows on April 15, 2021.
4. That Ondo State House of Assembly Committee on Sports led by Akogun Gbenga Omole; Ministry of Sports, Ondo State Football Agency and Ondo State Football Association led by Otunba Dele Ajayi should quickly seek audience with Mr Governor over this matter as soon as possible.
5. That State Government should not hurriedly sell off the teams under her control but to set up short-term, intermediate and long-term goals for both football clubs under an efficient leadership structure for both teams. This would help the teams run properly under professional leadership and ensure that funds are not only dissipated on the clubs as net expenditures, but income is also made for government in the light of Sports as a business.
6. That stakeholders are hopeful and confident that the road are open for Sunshine Stars FC and Sunshine Queens FC picking continental tickets at the end of the season if aforementioned resolutions are implemented by the State Government. Sunshine Stars can qualify for the continent via the AITEO Cup while the Queens can win the NWFL.
7. That stakeholders salute the forsight, vision and resourcesfulness of Mr Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu in taking the game of football to greater heights in all ramifications and that his name would go down for his extraordinary accomplishments in Ondo State.

The communique was signed by Dr. Babatunde Akinbinu and Comrade Gbenga Ajanaku