3SC GM CALLS FOR CALM, SAYS GOV MAKINDE IS SOLIDLY BEHIND CLUB

By Oluseyi Adedire

As the Nigeria Professional Football League new season is expected to kickoff soon, the recruitment, contract details, names of retained and new players of shooting stars have been a major subject of public and media debate and argument without any evidence whatsoever.

The arguments which started just after shooting stars lost two pre season tournaments finals at Ijebu ode and Ikenne had generated lot of rumours from different quarters within and outside Oyo state.

However, the management of shooting stars led by the general manager, Rasheed Balogun on Friday afternoon told media men that he was surprised by various reports on social media within the last three weeks. He pointed out that his direct contact and that of his staff are available for confirmation and verification.

He begins; "No one is bigger than Shooting Stars, there are lots of things I won't like to divulge here today but we are passing through so many things. Anyone who travelled down to Enugu would know what the team face before we secure the promotion. I've heard a lot, rumours here and there, these players have traveled abroad, that player is no longer with us. Any money we recieve on any transfer is for the club, I have no right to keep it into my account."

"When some people petitioned us under the late governor and our monthly subvention was reduced; no one wrote this. When I had to placed myself and some staff under half salary for the players to survive, no one wrote it. We are facing a lot. Governor Seyi Makinde had to come to our aid and backed us for promotion ambition. I'm not a politician, all I know is football management and administration."

On rumours that the state governor, Engr Seyi Makinde had abandoned the team. He replied.

"How would some people say the governor had abandoned us? He gave us full backing for this promotion, immediately we secured the promotion, two buses were given to the team. I can tell you confidently that the governor is solidly behind us."

The former Sunshine Stars football administrator however call for calm before the new season. Balogun said preparations are on top gear to present good players and compact team that will put smiles on the faces of shooting stars fans and supporters both home and abroad.