The founder and Chief Executive Officer of sports betting company, Nairabet, Otunba Akin Alabi has expressed that Oyo State Government must hands off Shooting Stars Sports Club for the team to grow to its full potential.
Alabi, who was the guest speaker at the second-anniversary lecture of Fresh 105.9 FM Radio Station, Ibadan, held on Wednesday, argued that Government has no business in running sports and must leave it in the hand of individuals who have interest and the means of doing so.
Alabi who spoke on “Promoting National Unity and Development through Sports: The Role of the Media” said what happened and where 3SC are today could have been averted if the Government had listened to concerned stakeholders and toed the line of commercialization for the Oluyole Warriors.
“Government has no business in sports affair in the modern trend except in a supervisory role. Oyo State Government must hands off 3SC because Government cannot pump in enough resources to make the club competitive because there are more pressing matters to handle.
“If this happens, 3SC will follow the ways of Ifeanyi Ubah and the Church-owned Mountain of Fire and Miracles FC, that are privately run clubs and they performed well in the just concluded NPFL season,” Alabi said.
Speaking on the way forward for 3SC, Alabi said there are modalities to put in place for at least a period of three years for the club to return to the realm of great teams in Africa.
“I am a fan of 3SC, I love the team with passion and I urge the Oyo State Government to do the needful so as to return the team back to his glorious days,” Alabi added.
Alabi who also decried emphasis of the Nigerian media on foreign sports, emphasized that the nation will boast of more talents if the media highlighted local sports.
He further noted that through the promotion of sports which is a major unifying factor for Nigerians, the media can further engender national integration and unity of the country.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
