*Says Oba Ladoja’s Reign Has Restored Glory To Ibadan Darling Team
All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Oyo State and former Oluyole Local Government Area (LGA) Chairman, Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan has congratulated Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) on its qualification to represent Nigeria in next year’s Confederation of African Football (CAF) Confederation Cup.
It would be recalled that the darling club of Ibadan and Oyo State clinched the third position at the conclusion of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) yesterday.
The position means 3SC returns to the continent after 27 years.
3SC last participated in CAF-organised tournament, African Cup of Champion Clubs (now CAF Champions League), during the government of Alhaji Lam Adesina in 1999.
Shooting Stars won the first ever continental cup for Nigeria in 1976 by varying home the African Cup Winners Cup during the reign of Oba Gbadamosi Akanbi Adebimpe as Olubadan of Ibadanland.
In a statement he issued and personally signed on Monday (today), Olaosebikan congratulated the current Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja Arusa 1, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), 3SC Club Chairman, Mr Taiwo Lekan Salami, and all lovers of football and sports generally in Oyo State on the feat achieved by 3SC.
Olaosebikan, a lover of sports and youth development, said the reign of Oba Ladoja Arusa 1 has restored the glory of Ibadan’s darling team.
He recalled with nostalgia the blessings of the Olubadan at his Bodija residence on the players and management of 3SC shortly after he was announced as the new Imperial Majesty of Ibadanland.
He noted that the Olubadan’s blessings have now turned around the fortunes of the football club.
Olaosebikan congratulated the players, management, officials, and numerous supporters of 3SC on the laudable continental achievement, urging the team to continue to wax stronger.
Going forward, Olaosebikan, who was Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the late Gov. Adesina, urged the team to utilize the qualification for the continental competition to bring greater glory and development to 3SC, soccer and sports generally in Oyo State.
He called on the State government to provide adequate funds to ensure 3SC’s success on the continent.
Olaosebikan further urged prominent, well-to-do indigenes and residents of Ibadan to also assist the club with funds and other incentives for it to succeed in the CAF Confederation Cup competition.
He prayed for more glories and great accomplishments for Ibadan and Oyo State during the reign of Oba Ladoja, pointing out that “so far, it has been a spectacularly successful reign.”
*PHOTO CAPTION: Alhaji Olaosebikan.
