Governor of Oyo State, ‘Seyi Makinde, has congratulated the Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) and the state’s contingent to the National Sports Festival, Delta 2022, on their respective successes at the weekend.
The Oluyole Warriors, as the 3SC is proudly known, won the Nigeria Professional Football League’s Dozy Mmobuosi Super Cup at the weekend and were rewarded with a N100 Million Prize money, while Team Oyo, comprising athletes in different games at the just-concluded National Sports Festival, finished fourth on the medals table.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the 3SC’s and Team Oyo’s successes are testaments to how far the Makinde administration has come in sports development.
Governor Makinde said: “I am proud of our team, the Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), who just won the Nigeria Professional Football League’s Dozy Mmobuosi Super Cup competition against Enyimba Football Club on Friday. Hearty congratulations.
“We look forward to an even better season in 2023 and beyond.”
The governor equally hailed Team Oyo, which finished the 21st National Sports Festival tagged Delta 2022, with a haul of 50 gold medals, 51 silver medals and 62 bronze medals, to clinch fourth position.
The Team Oyo moved up two spots from last year’s NSF medal’s table, Edo 2021, and also finished above Lagos State, which ended the 2022 edition in fifth position.
According to the statement, “the triumphs of the Oluyole Warriors and the Team Oyo at the respective competitions, showcases the never-say-die spirit of an Oyo man and his penchant for setting the pace in greatness.
“These victories recorded by Oyo teams in football and other sports, coming at a period very close to the 2023 general election in which Governor Makinde is seeking re-election as governor of the state, is a worthy testament to how the governor has redefined sports in the state.
“It would be recalled how the administration has placed a huge premium on sports development, beginning with the remodelling of the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba and the building of mini-stadia across the state.
“The government had equally made it a priority to encourage its teeming athletes and pay close attention to all the minutest sport details as well as allowing them a free hand to operate unlike in the past, when undue interference from government derailed sport teams in the state.
“There can be no greater campaign messages in sport development than these: Makinde has reawakened the winning spirits of Oyo’s sport teams, taking the 3SC from relegation in 2021 to winning the Super Cup and moving the Team Oyo to fourth place on the medal’s table at the NSF. Things can only get better.
“With these successes of the Team Oyo and the 3SC, the entirety of Oyo State residents, who longed for a return to the pacesetting heights in sports for many years have now got the fulfillment of their aspirations under Governor Makinde.
“The successes are a toast to a greater Oyo State, where under Governor Makinde, sports development is being made to take the centre stage in driving its economic rejuvenation agenda.”