Meet  The 4 Men Who Run Shooting Stars Club

• With BABATUNDE OLANIYAN

The former Deputy Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Babatunde Olaniyan, is the head of the Management team of the Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan. Olaniyan, popularly known as ‘Akoro’, was appointed as Chairman of the club by Governor Seyi Makinde in 2022. His appointment was part of the governor’s efforts in repositioning and restoring the club back to its glory days.

It would be recalled that governor Seyi Makinde, during his first term electioneering campaign, promised to get the Oluyole Warriors promoted to the elite league within two years of assumption of office. Governor Makinde hasn’t only fulfilled that promise, he has remodeled Lekan Salami Sports Complex (Adamasingba), Ibadan, the base of Shooting Stars. He has also been seeing to the adequate funding of the club. Shooting Stars is one of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) super giants. Infact, it is the first club to win the FA Cup in Nigeria in 1971. The Oluyole Warriors, as the club is also called, was established in 1960. It was an offshoot of the then Pepsi-Cola Football Club, according to Wikipedia. It is also a club with arguably the largest fanbase in the country. That explains why the club’s home matches have always been interesting right from day one.

Those who are familiar with the team would tell you how dedicated and committed the Shooting Stars’ fan are. Of course, the likes of late Pa Layiwola Lakondoro, a founding member, who also served as Chairman of the club, can never be forgotten in that regard. Baba Lakondoro who died at age 111 was so passionate about the club. To tell you how big the club is, a good number of Nigerian football legends had, at one time or the other, played for the Shooting Stars.

Some of our international stars who have played for Shooting Stars in the past, include,  late former African footballer of the year, Rashidi Yekini, mathematical Segun Odegbami, Felix Owolabi, Niyi Akande, Taiwo Ogunjobi, Duke Udi, Olumide Harris, Golden Ajeboh, Ajibade Babalade, Ademola Johnson, Jude Axelsson, and several other too numerous to mention. In this special report, City People’s Correspondent, Dare Adeniran (08057639079) brings you the names of the Management team of Shooting Stars led by Hon. Babatunde Olaniyan. The team has been working tirelessly to put the club in the proper position as far as NPFL is concerned, irrespective of all the challenges. Read on.

BABATUNDE OLANIYAN

Rt. Honourable Babatunde Olaniyan, popularly known as ‘Akoro’ is a well-grounded football administrator. He holds a Bachelor of Education degree in Kinetics and Health Education from the University of Ibadan. He’s a Nigerian Grade One Referee, who has occupied the seat of Chairman, Oyo State Football Referees’ Academy. He has also served as Premier League Football Match Commissioner. He is a politician who once served as the Deputy Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly. He is currently the Chairman of 3SC of Ibadan, Oyo State also known as Shooting Stars FC.

OLADIMEJI LAWAL

Mr. Dimeji Lawal, popularly known as ‘Kabongo’, is an ex-international footballer, who played as a midfielder on the local and international scenes. He once played for Shooting Stars and clubs in Spain and Belgium.

Lawal, played for Nigeria in the 1987 FIFA U-16 World Championship in Canada and the 1989 FIFA World Youth Championship in Saudi Arabia. Kabongo also made several appearances for the senior Nigeria national football team before he retired from active football. He scored on his debut at the 1992 African Nations Cup qualifier against Togo in 1990. Dimeji Lawal is a FIFA-licensed players’ agent. He is currently the Acting General Manager cum Team Manager, Shooting Stars Sports Club.

ALHAJI RAHMAN OLAPADE

Mr. Rahman Olapade, is the Director, Administration & Supply of the Shooting Stars. He has been contributing to the growth of the club since he came on board.

KEHINDE OGUNDIRAN

Kehinde Ogundiran, is the Director, Finance and Accounts of the, Club.

GBENGA OGUNBOTE

Gbenga Ogunbote, is the head of technical crew and the team manager of the Oluyole Warriors. He is one of the top coaches in the Nigerian league. Ogunbote has managed several reputable teams as coach. He had coached Sunshine Stars, Enyimba, Enugu Rangers, Lobi Stars, and Remo Stars before he moved to Shooting Stars.