By Adewumi Ayodele
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Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has said Sports will be meaningfully used to develop the state especially the younger generation.
The Governor stated this at the Flag off of a gold tournament held at the modern course of Smoking Hills and Resorts in Ilara-Mokin.
He added that football all over the world is undoubtedly the world’s number one sport, saying his agenda is to touch all the sectors of the economy of the state.
The Governor urge for football development is yielding positive results, as Sunshine Stars occupy number three position in the group B of the Nigeria Premier Football League “NPFL”.
Now, the money spinning Mmobuosi/NPFL super six cup is here, the clubs that will be participating in the tournament in Lagos are; Bendel Insurance FC, Remo Stars FC, Akwa United FC, Rivers United FC, Lobi Stars FC, Sunshine Stars FC .
The journey to the Super six, competition has been tough but thank God Sunshine Stars made it to the best Six against all odds.
The feat could not have been achieved without the support of governor OluwarotimiAkeredolu who mandated the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Bamidele Ologunloluwa, one of the youngest Commissioners in the cabinet that performance is key to continue support from the State government.
Sunshine Stars qualification from the Abridged NPFL league for super six was only certified on the last day of the league with a convincing 3 – 0 win in an home match against Dakkada FC.
Since the qualification, football lovers and stakeholders through various medium and forum have been showering encomium on the Team and its officials urging them to go for a befitting representation in Lagos where the tournament is schedule to hold from June 11 with three games per day.
According to a statement from the Interim Management Committee in charge of the league, each participating team will receive the sum of N20million while the runner up get N200million; as the winner is set to go home with one billion Naira.
Sunshine Stars have the quality players and competent football administrators and coaches put together at the beginning of the season by the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development Otunba Dele Ologunloluwa a stunch lover of the round leather game.
However, stakeholders, sport lovers and fans of Sunshine Stars are calling on the (Aketi Boys) to brace up in winning the super six in Lagos and a swell pick a continental ticket to represent Nigeria in the CAF champions league of the CAF Confederations Cup.
Adewumi is the Media Director Ondo State Football Agency
