BY OLANREWAJU AGIRI
Following the speculations going around, that the Board of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has informed the management of Shooting Stars Football Club that the Lekan Salami Stadium is no longer suitable for matches, the Chairman of the Oluyole Warrior, Hon. Taiwo Lekan Salami, has assured that 3SC will not be moved from Ibadan, as all machinery has been deployed to salvage the situation.
Pix caption: Lekan Salami Stadium’s pitch on Sunday evening.
The information was contained in a letter forwarded to the Chairman of 3SC on Friday, signed by the board’s Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, which frowned at the situation of the pitch of Lekan Salami Stadium, subsequent to the broadcast and television rights entered into by the Nigeria Premier Football League recently.
Reacting to this, the Chairman of 3SC has taken proactive measures to support the efforts of the Ministry of Youth Sports and the Oyo State Sports Council, who are responsible for maintaining the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, particularly regarding the regular watering of the pitch.
“We shall not be having a home match until about two weeks, and the authority has stopped all other activity on the facility which gives us ample time to fix the pitch back to its lush green state. The challenges faced by the agencies managing the stadium were inadequate supply of water, but we have joined them in complimenting their efforts in that area,” said 3SC boss.
This collaborative approach aims to ensure that the pitch is not only restored but also maintained effectively in the long run. With the upcoming matches in mind, the focus remains on creating an optimal playing surface that meets the standards expected by both players and fans alike.
The collaboration of the 3SC management with the ministry has begun to pay off, according to Taiwo Adesola, the secretary of the Oyo State Football Association, who confirmed to the sporting press that that pitch, just within a few days of enjoying adequate watering, is turning green.
This revitalisation according to the Oyo FA scribe is expected to enhance the overall matchday experience, as well as improve player performance. As the season progresses, the commitment to maintaining high-quality facilities will undoubtedly contribute to the success of all teams that will be using the facility.
