After four-year relegation, Shooting Stars return to NPFL
Encomiums from some notable sports groups in Oyo have continued to trail Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) amid promotion to the NPFL after spending four years in relegation.
The groups showered the encomiums on the Oluyole Warriors in separate statements on Sunday in Ibadan.
Shooting Stars, on Saturday, gained promotion to the elite division of the Nigerian league after securing seven points in the Nigeria National League (NNL) Super 8 playoffs in Enugu.
The club was relegated to the NNL in 2017 and had since struggled to return to the NPFL until last Saturday when it dazed Ekiti United FC by 6-0 in the Group B Conference, defeated Bendel Insurance 3-0 and drew 1-1 with Remo Stars.
In its statement, the Oyo chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) felicitated the players, coaches, officials, and the management of 3SC on their return to the NPFL.
The statement jointly signed by its chairman, Niyi Alebiosu, and secretary, Adewale Tijani, said, “It’s as a result of the determination of the players who recorded an unprecedented nine-game winning streak and a year’s unbeaten run spanning 2020 to 2021.”
The Crown Football Club of Ogbomoso also congratulated the governor on the promotion of 3SC to the NPFL.
In a statement signed by its acting General Manager, Kunle Oyeleye, the club said, “Shooting Stars cum entire South-western Nigeria had longed for a space in the country’s highest football category for quite some time. Until now, when the sports-loving governor came with his Midas touch, the dream had been elusive.”
The statement added, “It is crystal clear that the governor is the impetus and motivation for this wonderful achievement as he has done in other sectors in Oyo State. We are proud of the governor.”
It also commended Rasheed Balogun, 3SC General Manager, for bringing to bear his expertise as a long-standing football administrator on the Ibadan soccer outfit.
Similarly, the Oyo chapter of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association (NFCA) also congratulated 3SC on their promotion to the NPFL.
The association, in a statement signed by its chairman, Festus Adegoju, said, “We earnestly pray that he succeeds while the team gets there. We appreciate the team’s efforts, technical crew, backroom staff, the football association, and the state governor.”
(NAN)
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