The previous Head of Sunshine Stars and Sunshine Queens Football Clubs, Akin Akinbobola, has attributed the recent drop of both teams into a lower league to insufficient financial support and mismanagement by the state administration.
This demotion marks the end of 22 consecutive seasons in the premier league for Sunshine Stars FC, which had not been relegated since 2003.
Akinbobola made these statements on Wednesday during a press gathering in Akure, aimed at assessing the performance of Sunshine Stars Football Club and the overall downturn in sports within the state.
The former president emphasized that Sunshine Stars FC is not being overseen in a professional manner, urging the state government to place greater focus on the sports sector and the well-being of athletes.
“To my understanding, the management of that place is lacking. A sense of mediocrity has infiltrated every aspect of it.
“How can a carpenter be appointed to head the hospital management board? How can a physician be made the chairperson of the judiciary commission? It simply won’t function.
Related Articles:
- Oredipe seeks AFN board position for true service
- Enyimba FC congratulates sister club Abia Warriors on continental ticket
- MOC/MTN Champs Grand Finale: Team Bayelsa wins 11 medals in Uyo
“You need to align capabilities with positions and ensure proper oversight for effective operation.
“Football has the potential to earn substantial revenue and provide jobs for our youth if it is approached with seriousness.
“I must stress once more, the governor should refrain from using football or sports appointments as rewards for associates and flatterers. Flattery has led to the advancement of mediocrity within sports administration.
“When loyalty is prioritized over skill, dissenting opinions are suppressed, and qualified individuals are excluded, leading to weak leadership, mismanagement, and continuous decline in performance,” he stated.
Akinbobola, who previously served as the head of the Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA), called on the state government to quickly form a panel made up of reputable and knowledgeable football experts.
He stated that this panel would work towards ensuring that Sunshine Stars FC makes its way back to the premier division in the upcoming season.
“Those who were tasked with the duty of preventing Sunshine Stars from being relegated must be investigated regarding how they mismanaged the funds provided to them.
“With effective leadership, the club can return to the top league, but the governor should not hand over the community’s legacy to outsiders.
“The governor should also urgently set up a sports commission, as this is the sole way to rejuvenate the struggling sector,” he asserted.
