Femi Atolagbe

The management of Ondo State Football Agency has expressed its readiness to partner private interested organisations to get official corporate brand sponsor in sponsoring both Sunshine Stars and Sunshine Queens as a way to advertise their brands.

The Chairman of interim Committee of the Agency and Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa stated this during the unveiling and launching of jerseys for Sunshine Stars and Sunshine Queens in Akure, the state capital.

The programme was in collaboration with Future Horizon Ltd, a private investor partnering with the team.

Ayedatiwa therefore called for more collaboration from any interested business owners who may want to partner with the teams.

The management of Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA) also disclosed that efforts were being made to critically look into claims of some disengaged staff of the agency and clear it.

The agency had reviewed its staff strength before the advent of the committee with many staff being owed several months.

Aiyedatiwa noted that since his appointment on March 30,2021,he had prioritised the welfare of players and staff of the teams under the agency; Sunshine Stars and Sunshine Queens.

He noted that the agency, before the advent of the management committee, was in  shambles with Sunshine Stars swimming in relegation waters and was able to rescue the team with different approach and incentives put in place.

“It may interest you to note that through the efforts of Mr Governor, funds have been approved for the interim management committee.

“All the arrears of salary and bonuses owed disengaged players and players currently playing for the club had been settled and salary and match bonuses are now being paid as and when due.

“However, efforts are on to critically look into claims of some disengaged staff of the agency,with a view to ascertaining the genuineness of their claims and as soon as possible, all outstanding indebtedness inherited by the interim committee will be cleared,” he said.

Aiyedatiwa said football is a veritable business, if properly managed and administered and was part of the reasons the committee was put in place to bring in credible partners that would develop football in the state.

Earlier, the representative of Future Horizon, Mr Olarewaju Famakinwa ,said they were impressed with the performance of Sunshine Stars with minimal budget .

Famakinwa said the company would not stop with partnership on the new jerseys alone,but would look into other areas that will benefit both the company and the clubs, so as to grow the revenue.

The Chairman of Ondo State Internal Revenue (ODIRS), applauded the gesture as he said it would boost the internally generated revenue of the state.

Also, a Business Mogul, Mr Jimoh Ibrahim, said football was a veritable tool to improve the IGR and was surprised that the club had developed and improved in terms of marketing.

The General Manager of the teams, Otunba Akinsola commended the state government for the opportunity giving to the organising committee to organise an epoch making event of it’s kind in the country.

He urged the government to continue its support for both Sunshine Stars and Sunshine Queens to become a brand that will be marketable.