Up Shooting...
Up Stars!!!
The success of any man goes beyond amassing wealth, among other things it can only be measured by the uncontrollable happiness as expressed in the minds of friends, enemies, subordinates and the general populace wherever and whenever such men appears in public circle. The expression of reject and disdain have enveloped the political sphere where public office holders resorted to heavy security attachments during and after leaving office, they remain inaccessible to the common man and later on become men of yesteryears.
Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) remains the darling club of Ibadan and Oyo state people; oh you may not know the passion and excitement of an ardent follower of soccer attached to the club except you visit the Lekan Salami stadium located in the city centre; Adamasingba area to be precise. From the early 70`s till date, the Oluyole Warriors have metamorphosed in names, structure and performance. It remains one of the most-followed football clubs that has not lost its supporters in spite of the ups and downs; the fan base is in multitudes of thousands. It won major trophies and has produced great talents who dominated the soccer world in their career. Western Nigerian Development Corporation (WNDC) was the maiden name and later changed to Industrial Investment and Credit Corporation (IICC), the latter was the parent name of today`s Shooting stars, a name that was derived from sky meteorite stars like Rashidi Yekini, Felix Owolabi, Niyi Akande, Joseph Ladipo (Jossy Lad), Femi Opabunmi, Ajibade Babalade, Segun Odegbami, Mutiu Adepoju were once shining stars of the Ibadan darling team. Coaches are uncountable, sports administrators in the last four decades cannot be listed in this piece, and staunch followers of the club have been recycled and remain evergreen: one outstanding of them is the Late Baba Eleran, he was a proverbial pigeon in his lifetime.
Another unique being among others in this category is Adedapo Lam-Adesina, The former Commissioner of Youth and Sports in Oyo State and now Member House of Representatives in Abuja. In his capacity as a Commissioner for Youth and Sports under the leadership of Governor Abiola Ajimobi in his first term, the young Adesina used all resources within his disposal to catapult the Oluyole warriors to their present state. There is no need for rhetoric on his achievements as it relates to 3SC as one of his aides, Owoyokun Samson has chronicled it in his widely circulated piece: ( http://theeagleonline.com.ng/matters-arising-on-the-dapo-lam-adesina-phenomenon-by-owoyokun-samson/ )
Of particular note is the unprecedented crowd that have consistently watched the home matches of Shooting stars during the tenure of Mr. Dapo Lam-Adesina as commissioner which its ripple effects remain unabated as the numbers kept increasing on daily basis.
After leaving office as Commissioner, the trained Agricultural and environmental engineer turned politician who recently won his election to represent Ibadan North East/South East federal Constituency in the House of Representatives has remained a strong supporter of the Oluyole warriors. Hardly has he missed any home match except he is outside the state for his legislative duties as a congressman. He has shown an uncommon commitment which remains unparalleled in the annals of history as expressed by the supporters of shooting stars. Unbelievably, Dapo Lam against natural norms will always sit with the official supporters club to watch matches, as against the standard of top politicians who would rather seat at the V.I.P stand. He will sometimes sing, clap and dance to lovable songs as chorused by the supporters.
Recently, the National President of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo; himself an indigene of Ibadan and a great follower of Shooting stars was at the Adamasingba stadium and expressed utter surprise to see a distinguished honourable member, without police detail among his people (Leadership Newspaper of July 8th, 2015); ( http://leadership.ng/sports/445427/ladipo-lauds- dapo-lams-undying-love-for-3sc) The icing on the cake for the former commissioner is the throng of followers and well-wishers who accompany him after the 90 minutes played on the pitch, he takes time to respond to all salutations, and questions from friends, critics and well wishers.
When asked about his enormous regards for Shooting Stars team, Dapo Lam was modest enough to admit they haven’t won anything yet. “I know how people see them and we really appreciate that. But the truth is, our team has not won anything yet. “We have great potentials, we also have what I think is a much younger team and if 3SC go on to do well, then they will shine at the Nigeria premeir league." As a representative in the Green Chamber with giant achievements in Oyo State sports, passion for sports development and a zeal to move his country forward, Hon. Adesina will be able to stir the House Committee on Sport without any fear. What all this proves to me is that Nigeria sports can be a success. The bottom line is that if we can just get the right quality of leadership, then there will certainly still be hope in our sports.
Up Shooting...
Up Stars!!!
***Ogunlakin is an experienced and successful football coach with Asegun Babes Int'L and The Former Chairman of Football Youth Coaches of Oyo State
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