Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Thursday, approved immediate increase in the monthly subvention of the state-owned football club, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC).

Makinde announced an increase in the subvention while receiving the management of 3SC, at the Executive Council Chamber of his office, at the State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

The 3SC team was led by its technical adviser, Dimeji Lawal, to the governor’s office to officially present the club’s new signings.

Makinde said, “The last thing we also noticed from the challenges we have had to face in the last couple of weeks is the fact that the same subvention you were getting when you played in the NNL is still what you have right now, even though you have to cover the entire country.

” And you also have players that may be more expensive than the players that you used to have.
“So, we have decided to do something about the subvention; we will increase the subvention and it will be directly under my office.

“But I will ensure that the entire money that will be released through that channel is properly utilised for the benefit of the club and the welfare of the players.

*And if I need to add personal money, I will do it for us to get our desired result.
“So, from this month of February, you will have an increase in your subvention and it will be released immediately.”

Makinde equally announced that Lawal, who was the technical adviser and team manager of the club, would act as General Manager until the government took a decision on the issue.

Recall that the immediate past General Manager of the club, Rasheed Balogun, died recently after a brief illness.

“As a result of the loss of the General Manager, we felt the position should not be vacant.
“So, I consulted and what will happen is, Dimeji Lawal will play the dual role of team manager as well as acting General Manager pending when we can have clarity,” Makinde said.

Rising wave of ritual killings, missing persons jolts Ebonyi residents

The governor also unveiled the three new players that recently joined the club: Sunday Faleye, Sunday Akreche and Niyi Adekunle, during the visit.
He charged the new signings to put in their best to deliver good results to the club and the state.

The Governor promised that his administration would continue to support the management of the club to become the number one team in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

He said that he would like to see the team participate in continental football this season.
Makinde said that though the team’s recent results were commendable, they should not relent until they became number one on the NPFL table.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Seun Fakorede, appreciated the governor for fulfilling all promises made to the club.
Fakorede, who presented the trio of Faleye, Akreche and Adekunle as the new signings of 3SC, said the purpose of the visit was to introduce the new players to the governor.

The team manager, Lawal, appreciated Gov. Makinde for his love and passion for the club, stating that the governor had kept every promise he made to 3SC.(NAN