The remarkable performance of Sunshine Stars of Akure in Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL thus far has been attributed to determination, deligence, focus and hardwork.
The Ondo State team progressed to the playoff round of Super Six with 27 points after 18 matches.
Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Bamidele Ologunloluwa who was at OSRC Media Group, Orita Obele, Akure said the winning bonus of the team has been jerked up and all players and officials due for it are not owed anything.
In Group A of the NPFL, Bendel Insurance, Remo Stars and Enyimba made the cut while Rivers United, Lobi Stars and Sunshine Stars in Group B progressed to the Super Six.
Reacting to the success of the Sunshine Stars of Akure, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Bamidele Ologunloluwa thanked Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for his moral and financial support all through the first stanza.
“I thank God Almighty and also thank my boss, Mr. Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON for the support both financial and morally. It has not been easy and it is a long journey but at the end of the day we give God the glory.”
The commissioner lauded the technical crew and others who ensured that the team made the cut.
“The technical crew, coaching crew and many were part of the success story. I must mention that we believed in ourselves from the beginning; we believed we can pursue our dream and that is why we are where we are today. We believed we were going to make it; we kept working and never relented on our efforts. We kept doing what we needed to do and that is the success story.”
Ahead of the task at hand, he assured that Sunshine Stars of Akure are battle ready for others.
“We keep talking to our boys, they need to train hard, they need not lose focus. Enyimba, Rivers United among others, we respect them it is going to be man against man, 11 men against 11 men but we are optimistic by God’s grace.”
“I know that there must be something my governor saw in me that made him give me the opportunity to serve in the ministry of youth and sports development, I never knew I can’t do it I only knew that anything is possible once you are determined.”
“I must mention that the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the former panel set up by the present administration before I came in actually did very well, they laid a very solid foundation and it was easier for me to climb on that”
“The task was not difficult for me, I even need to appreciate the critics because whatsoever they said even helped us to sit up more so I even want to thank them for whatsoever they have done then.
The Commissioner lauded Ondo State Football Association headed by Otunba Dele Ajayi for its immense support towards the success of the Akure side.
He reiterated that prudency has been the key to financing the sports sector noting that no one is owed at Ondo State Football Agency.
Ologunloluwa urged the sport loving fans of Sunshine Stars to continue to support the team believing that they will finish in the top three and subsequently clinch a continental ticket.
“We will do our best but all our hope and trust is in God Almighty, we are going to Super Six, we are trusting God, our boys are ready, determined and motivated”.
The NPFL Super 6 which kicks off on June 3 will also produce the League season winner.
NPFL Champions and first runners up will play in the CAF Champions Leagues while the second runners up will vie for honours in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Mobolaji Johnson Arena formerly Onikan Stadium Lagos will host the Championship with the six clubs playing against one other in a round Robin fixture.
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