All is now set for the kickoff of Shooting Stars Football Club’s new Academy in Ibadan by January, 2018.
The plan, which is geared towards taking the club to the next level was revealed by the Oyo State Commissioner for Youths & Sports, Mr Abayomi Oke on Monday during a press parley.
Oke said everything is almost set for the developmental programme having completed all the modalities.
“We are set to kick off from January with the policy of catching them young with the academy. Admission formalities will soon be out and parents are implored to come with their kids from ages 13 to 19. Soon, the world will see a good source for young and promising players in the mould of Segun Odegbami, Austin Okocha, Kanu Nwakwo and co”, he added.
Also speaking on the demotion of the club to the lower division from the Nigerian Premier League, NPFL, the commissioner alongside the club’s Executive Chairman, seized the opportunity to apologize to the public on the relegation, both added that it would be a blessing in disguise as the club would rise from the current fate.
“Nobody is happy to fail, but we must make it up to create a better future for the club. The new government policy is to have short and long time plans for the club. The immediate plan we have started with the appointment of Agoye as new head coach. His appointment is to address the issue of continuity in the club. Agoye knows the club and the bulk of young players to work with”, the duo submitted
It was also, disclosed that the General Manager, Rashidi Balogun is to continue in that capacity having promised to work more on the early return of the club to the elite league.
“Balogun remains with us for another season, he is so passionate about the club and he felt so badly that the club went on relegation and he has promised to work the team’s early return”, the Busari stressed.
Oke however disclosed that Shooting Stars will soon become a club to be quoted in the stock market but this will be after a critical appraisal of its assets and liability.
“We are on the process of auditing our accounts and assess our liability before we make the general pronouncement. This government under Senator Abiola Ajimobi is ready to take the club to the next level and it will be the first as government owned to be successful on the stock market”, Oke concluded.
Packaged by Olanrewaju Agiri
