Strategic partners to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), GTI Asset Management and Trust Limited, have expressed great shock over Thursday’s hoodlum attack on players of Sunshine Stars of Akure on their way to Benin, the Edo State capital for their Match Day 13 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) encounter against Bendel Insurance of Benin.
The match was slated for Saturday, December 9, 2023.
GTI Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba who condemned the attack via a press statement to journalists in Lagos on Friday stated with a tinge of regret that the dastardly act came at a time when the Nigeria Premier Football League was undergoing serious restructuring and evolution.
“We commiserate with the management, staff and players of Sunshine Stars over this disheartening incident and we wish those injured speedy recovery.
“However, we call on all the security agencies in the country to step up their surveillance on our highways, especially during this yuletide season and ensure our players and club officials are duly secured before, during and after matches,” he said.
Earlier, Sunshine Star’s Media Officer Michael Akintunde while giving details of the incident thanked the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) that helped rescue the injured officials and the shot individuals to a nearby hospital.
Reacting, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the NPFL, Prince Davidson Owumi confirmed the sad incident, and further stated that the Match Day 13 encounter between Bendel Insurance and Sunshine Stars will now hold on Sunday, December 10, 2023 at Sam Ogbemudia Stadium Benin.
He added that the Sunshine Stars, who are already in Benin have expressed their readiness and willingness to go ahead with the match despite the unfortunate attack.
Meanwhile, the management of Shooting Stars FC of Ibadan has joined GTI and other NPFL clubs to express sadness over the attack on Sunshine Stars by the suspected hoodlums, describing the incident as disheartening.
They extended their heartfelt sympathy to the management of Sunshine Stars as they go through the horrible experience and wished the injured officials a quick recovery.
