OBIDEYI HAILS TAIWO SALAMI’S TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP, URGES POLITICAL STAKEHOLDERS TO BACK 3SC VISION

By OyoSportsNews 

Chairman of the Oyo State Pillar of Sports Youth Development Foundation and Oyo State Pillar of Sports, Mr. Temitope Ademola Obideyi, has commended the management of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), led by Executive Chairman Honourable Taiwo Lekan-Salami, for its remarkable transformation of the historic club and its spirited return to continental football.

Obideyi, a passionate and loyal supporter of the Oluyole Warriors, described 3SC’s return to the African football stage after 27 years as a significant achievement, stressing that the club’s continental comeback represents more than just participation; it is evidence of a deliberate rebuilding process.

While reacting to Shooting Stars’ elimination from the CAF Confederation Cup following a 2-1 aggregate defeat to Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien, Obideyi said the club had every reason to hold its head high, particularly after securing a memorable first-leg victory in Abeokuta.

He noted that few would have predicted that Shooting Stars would defeat the Tunisian giants in the opening leg, adding that the subsequent 2-0 defeat in Sfaxien should not overshadow the progress recorded by the club.

According to him, Lekan-Salami’s administration deserves commendation for bringing structure, visibility and commercial consciousness back to the club.

Obideyi particularly highlighted the management’s efforts in areas such as matchday revenue generation through ticketing, merchandise development, shirt sponsorship, improved fan control, security and access management, branding, marketing and the overall repositioning of the club.

He said the visible changes have helped place Shooting Stars on a broader football map, restoring the club’s identity and attracting renewed attention from football followers beyond Oyo State.

“What Honourable Taiwo Lekan-Salami and his team have achieved with Shooting Stars is visible. Bringing the club back to continental football after 27 years, while simultaneously improving its commercial and organisational structure, is not a small achievement."

“The CAF journey may have ended, but the club has gained valuable experience and restored confidence in the brand. The first-leg victory in Abeokuta showed what this team is capable of, and there is absolutely no disgrace in the 2-0 result in Tunisia.”

Obideyi further urged the players and technical crew to immediately shift their attention to the Nigeria Premier Football League and President Federation Cup, describing both competitions as opportunities for Shooting Stars to secure another route back to continental football next season.

He also called on the political leadership and institutions across Oyo State to collectively support the vision and mission of the current 3SC administration, stressing that the club should be treated as a valuable sporting asset capable of projecting the state’s identity and image nationally and internationally.

He appealed for sustained institutional backing for the management, particularly in consolidating the structures already established under Lekan-Salami’s leadership.

Obideyi described Lekan-Salami as a charismatic, purposeful and forward-thinking sports administrator, whose passion for the club has been demonstrated through tangible initiatives rather than mere rhetoric.

He stressed that continuity is essential if the gains recorded in recent times are to be sustained and expanded.

“Shooting Stars belongs to the people of Oyo state and Nigeria at large. When a leadership team is showing this level of commitment, vision and measurable progress, the responsibility to support that vision should not rest with the club management alone.

"Our political institutions, government agencies, corporate organisations, football stakeholders and supporters must come together to strengthen what is being built. We should not wait until another 27 years before appreciating the importance of continental football and a properly positioned Shooting Stars.”

Obideyi expressed optimism that with continued support, improved investment and stability in the club’s administration, the Oluyole Warriors can challenge for domestic honours, return to Africa next season and gradually reclaim their historic status as one of Nigeria’s most respected football institutions.