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Football enthusiast, Dr. Olumuyiwa Adu, popularly known as "Adu Cubana," has reiterated his commitment towards establishing a football academy in Akure. Adu stated this while addressing the organisers of the second "Adu Unity Football Competition for Aiyedatiwa" in Akure, the state capital. He revealed that agents are working on acquiring a suitable site for the academy and noted he met with some of them a few days ago. During the first edition of the competition, Dr. Olumuyiwa Adu promised to establish a football academy in Akure to ensure budding talents in Ondo State are caught young. He said the academy's establishment is well on course, and that it is aimed at supporting talented footballers in Ondo State. Expressing satisfaction with the first edition of the competition, Adu said there would be significant improvements in this edition. He advised participating teams to give their best in line with the competition's rules and regulations. Adu assured th...

Sportsmen and women in Ondo State have been assured of a renewed commitment to sports development .  Ondo State Governor,  Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, expressed this commitment at a rally organised by the Special Interest Committee on Sports for the Aiyedatiwa/Adelami campaign. Represented by his Special Assistant on Political Matters, Mr Smart Omodunbi, the Governor urged the sports community to mobilise aggressively for his victory in the upcoming November 16 election. Aiyedatiwa said, "I am a sports-loving Governor, which is why I have the interests of sportsmen and women at heart. Rest assured that after the election, my commitment to this sector will remain steadfast, with many more developments planned for the sports council." He added, "I am counting on you all to canvass votes for me on November 16 by encouraging our people to vote massively for me and my deputy on election day. "Since I assumed office as Governor, I have not disappointed you, and I never will....

Super Eagles invitee Seth Mayi has been urged to justify his invitation to the national team by displaying what he knows how best to do with the round leather. Sunshine Stars boss Bamidele Ologunloluwa while expressing his delight over Mayi's call up charged the playmaker to seize the great opportunity and take his game to the next level. Ologunloluwa commended Sunshine Stars Technical Adviser, Kennedy Boboye for bringing out the best in his wards. "I am extremely happy that a Sunshine Stars player has been considered good enough for the national team during my tenure as President," he said. "The last time Sunshine Stars got  Invitation to the national team was in 2018 and since then we have not had similar opportunity. "I congratulate the entire team and I urged them to focus on the game against Plateau United as I am certain more players from our fold would be given the nod to play for the national team." Seth Mayi who returns to his birthplace, Jos this ...

Olufemi Opeoluwa struck in the 17th minute against Nasarawa United to salvage maximum points for Sunshine Stars in a match day eight tie of the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) at Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu Ode. The balanced encounter began with the hosts dominating and Olufemi Opeoluwa putting his side ahead having benefited from Seth Mayi's deflected pass . Thereafter, Nasarawa United tutored by former Sunshine Stars coach Kabir Dogo took control with Shina Kumater and Sambo Gambo particularly marvelous with their good runs in the midfield. However, the Owena Whales defence led by Chidozie Iwundu matched the visitors' antics. Sunshine Stars Technical Adviser, Kennedy Boboye in his post match reaction conceded that the game  was tough. "We played against a good side coached by an experienced coach", he said According to Boboye, "It was a very tough game for us today as we did not play the way we normally run over teams. Had we conceded a goal ...

  Chairman of Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA) Bamidele Ologunloluwa has congratulated the Chairman, Ondo State chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Segun Giwa on the occasion of his birthday.  Ologunloluwa described Giwa, a thorough bred professional who has contributed immensely to the development of sports in the state through his creative writings.  He added that Giwa is a fearless crusader of grassroots sports development. "Segun Giwa is an unbiased gentleman who is systematically piloting the affair of sports writers in Ondo State. "On behalf of the board and Management of Ondo State Football Agency which oversees Sunshine Stars Football Club and Sunshine Queens, we felicitate  you on this day as you celebrate your birthday.  "Our prayer is that God, in His infinite mercy, will bless you with many more prosperous years and in good health. "Congratulations on your birthday." Femi Atolagbe  Sunshine Stars  Media Manager

Surmounting the challenge posed by a champion all over the world is always a Herculean task.  That exactly was what Sunshine Stars of Akure did with panache over defending Nigeria Premier Football League champions Rangers International of Enugu. In a game Sunshine Stars had the better chances, Stephen Chukwude scored the only goal in the 43rd minute at Otunba Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode. The tie also marked a return to country home of former Ijebu United midfielder Kazeem Ogunleye who has a couple goals for the Antelopes. President of Sunshine Stars Football Club Dele Ologunloluwa asserts that good luck following Ondo State governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa cannot be ruled out of the outcome of the game. "I hurriedly came in from Ondo, venue of the flag off of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa's campaign for the November 16 election and where the state helmsman hinted on a handful of things to be accomplished with sports also in the front burner. "That stimulated the entir...

Stephen Chukwude's 42nd  minute goal was all Sunshine Stars Football Club of Akure needed to defeat Rangers International of Enugu in a match-day six tie of Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), played at Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu- Ode. The home side dominated the encounter from blast of the whistle to end of the game.  Chukwude, a former Rangers International and Heartland FC player, wasted no time in tucking the ball into the top roof of the net from Chinedu Nwosu's pass in the 43rd  minute. The Akure-based side could have been up by four goals in the first half but went into the break with a lone goal due to inability to convert clear cut chances. The restart of the game saw the reigning NPFL champions display some aggressiveness which was well curtailed by the home side's backline. Sunshine Stars' Nelson Osahon, Adebayo Abayomi were thrown into the fray to replace, Adewale Yusuf and Chinedu Nwosu respectively, for more goals which never came. Osahon marked h...

Inclusion of midfielder Seth Mayi in the NPFL Match Day Four has been commended by president of Sunshine Stars Football Club Bamidele Ologunloluwa. Ologunloluwa also lauded Sunshine Stars' Technical Adviser, Kennedy Boboye who was selected Coach of the Week. The club boss congratulated the duo and charged them to further improve on their performance, noting that it is just the advent of new things in the club. The Chairman of Ondo State Football Agency urged both the coach and the player to see their selections, a call for better performances. "I congratulate Sunshine Stars players for the great achievement as I am confident many of them will still win something bigger.  "Let us remain focused on the task ahead; we are not there yet but I am sure with sincerity of purpose and team work we shall achieve our target this season. "Seth and Coach Boboye would not have achieved this feat without the support of the entire team." Ologunloluwa urged the team to continue ...

  Executive Chairman of Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA), Bamidele Ologunloluwa has commended players and officials of Sunshine Stars for a job well done by beating Akwa United to grab their first away win of the season.  Ologunloluwa, who returned all the Glory to God Almighty for the victory, thanked Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his massive support for the team. The former commissioner for Youth and Sports Development in the state added that the character displayed by the players and their officials from the blast of the referee to the final whistle was commendable. He charged the team no to lower the tempo of their game, urging them to consolidate on the victory over the nest of champions when they face Kano Pillars in another away match in Katsina next Sunday.  "On our part as management, we will continue to motivate both players and their officials with good welfare package. "We should be more focused on the target of the team, which is to win the leag...

Goals from Chinedu Nwosu and Seth Mayi were all Sunshine Stars needed to pick maximum points against Akwa United in a Match-Day Four tie of Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo. Sunshine Stars took the lead through Chinedu Nwosu's who chipped the ball over oncoming Akwa United's Goal keeper from Seth Mayi's pass in the 20th minute.   Moment later, Chidozie Iwundu thought he had increased the Owena Whales' lead when he scored from a rebound off Seidu Salisu's well taken free-kick, only to have it goal disallowed for offside. The Nest of Champions reacted swiftly to Sunshine Stars' onslaught to get a leveller but they met the brick wall of Sunshine Stars's defence marshalled by Iwundu, Ogechukwu Ogbu, Yusuf Olowoshile, Peace Dewan and Adamu Umar. Sunshine Stars' Goal keeper Emmanuel Ofori was also in his best to deal with Akwa United's set pieces.  The host stuck to their game plan at the rest...

Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA) has approved the appointment of former Sunshine Stars Captains, Abe Sunday and Kayode Idowu as Match Readers of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) club. Executive Chairman of the Agency, Bamidele Ologunloluwa stated this while congratulating the longest serving Sunshine Stars Captain on his retirement from the round leather game. Ologunloluwa said Abe Sunday's number 10 jersey will be reserved for at least a season as a mark of honour for his service to the team. The former Ondo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development said Abe Sunday said the ex-international's wealth of experience is still needed in the club. Abe Sunday who represented Nigeria the U-17 AFCON and World Cup qualifiers as well as the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt before graduating to the national U-23 team and home-based Super Eagles in 2010, had announced his retirement from football at a news conference in Akure, the state capital. Sunday was the skippe...

The Chairman of Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA), Hon. Bamidele Ologunloluwa, wishes people of the state and fans of Sunshine Stars Football Club of Akure a blissful and successful month. Ologunloluwa while welcoming football lovers across the state to the month of September, saying it's an uncommon grace to witness a new month ,which coincidentally ushers in a new Nigeria Premier Football League NPFL season,despite the oscillating situation in the country.  Speaking in Akure, the Ex Commissioner fir Youth and Sports Development said: " I want to join the good people of Ondo State to give God due appreciation for another month, and a new football season witnessed. It is an uncommon grace to see a new month. I therefore join the darling people of the sunshine State, most especially, football lovers across the state to rejoice on witnessing the month of September, and the start of a new NPFL season." Ologunloluwa appreciates the football loving Governor of the state, His ...

The 2024 annual Ijapo Ages Stars FC (IASFC) intra club competition kicked off at Ijapo/Housing field in Akure with the opening match ended 3-2 in favour of Team Cherry who came from two goals down to defeat Team Apple. Banana, however, played a 1-1 draw against Date- Plum in the second match of the grassroot football competition. Goals from Taiwo Adeniran and Johnson Akintayo gave Cherry a leveler, having trailed Apple who were leading from Leye Adewole and Shayo Olayeni goals in the first half of the enthralling encounter. Substituted Nosa Enabulele scored the winning goal for Cherry as Apple Goalkeeper Ayodeji Ogunsakin received a matching order from the center referee for dissent. Meanwhile, Team Banana took the lead through Taiwo Ajimuda from outside the box, before John Tope equalised from Date – plum moment later from a rebound. The second stanza of the encounter failed to record any further goal as both sides shared the spoils of the encounter. All the participating teams displa...

Sunshine Stars Football Club of Akure have begun the Governor Douye Diri Pre-season tournament with a 1-0 victory over the hosts, Bayelsa United. The Owena Whales were in control of the encounter, displaying football artistry at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa. Sunshine Stars' new signing, Ismail Ayodele, terrorised the hosts with his eyes on goal throughout the match, wasting no time to score in the 35th minute. Bayelsa United almost immediately pushed for an equaliser that never came. A superb header was saved by Sunshine Stars' goalkeeper, Emmanuel Ofori, who was well positioned to deny the hosts from getting a leveler before the half time. The second half produced no further goals, with both sides pushing for attacking football. In his post-match interview, Sunshine Stars' head coach Kennedy Boboye commended his players for their character throughout the game, stating that they were not yet where they aim to be. The two-time Nigeria Premier Football League winner i...

The Ondo State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has congratulated the newly appointed Media Officer of Sunshine Stars, Femi Atolagbe. Atolagbe, who works with Owena Press limited in Akure, publisher of The Hope Newspaper, was appointed in a letter dated July 25, 2024 and signed by the DFA of the Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA),Mr Banji Kuroloja. Until his appointment, he was the Media Officer of Sunshine Queens and has since taken over from Michael Akintunde of Adaba FM. Atolagbe brings his vast experience in sport reporting and has won several awards on the job. SWAN charges the new media Officer to bring his wealth of experience to promote the good image of the club, Sunshine Stars. Congratulations!!! Joseph Adesuyan, Secretary, Ondo SWAN

  Head coach of the Nigerian boxing team to the ongoing 2024 Olympics in Paris France,Adura Olalehin has reacted to the allegations leveled against him,the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) and the Sports Ministry by another national boxer Segun Ajose as untrue and unfair. It will be recalled that Segun Ajose in an interview circulated in some media platforms accused the Nigeria boxing federation(NBF), Ministry of Sports and Coach Adura Olalehin for fielding incompetent boxers and influencing the boxers negatively leading to the failed doping test and defeat in Paris. Reacting in an interview, Coach Olalehin expressed disappointment over the accusations describing Ajose a former national pujilist of not been fair to the Ministry, himself and the players whom he said were devastated by the current situation. Olalehin a former international boxer and represented Nigeria at so many international competitions explained that the athletes in Paris were well trained and qualified to partici...

Sunshine Stars Football Club of Akure wish to inform the general public, particularly the Clubs in the Nigeria Premier Football Club (NPFL), that the trio of AbdulRafiu Taiwo, Osimaga Duke and Lucky Nwafor were all away from the club without official permission (AWOL). The three players have not resumed to the club two weeks after they were supposed to have rejoined their colleagues in training without an official leave or permission. Meanwhile, the rest of the team are currently in Akure in preparations for the upcoming 2024/25  NPFL season. Consequently upon this, Sunshine Stars are warning clubs and agents not to deal with the players in the area of transfer without the club’s approval. The players were still contracted to Sunshine Stars and any move to illegally secure their services would attract a lawsuit”. Femi Atolagbe,  Sunshine Stars  Media officer

FIFA licensed Agent, Shalom Olaseni has congratulated Hon. Bamidele Ologunloluwa over his appointment as Executive Chairman of the Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA).  Olaseni while congratulating other members of the Board, charged them to work with unity of purpose for the overall development of football in the state.  The Chairman of United Global Resolve For Peace (UGRFP) and Ondo State Conscience Movement(OCM) described individuals on ODSFA board as men of impeccable character and well rooted in grassroots football development.  He admonished the board to look beyond established teams like Sunshine Stars FC and Sunshine Queens FC , saying they should make under - age football development their focal point. He added that it's a great opportunity for the board to change the narrative of the Agency by embarking on aggressive grassroots football development across the 18 local government areas of the state. He said: "This is an opportunity for us to catch the young talen...

The Executive Chairman of the Ondo State Football Agency, (ODSFA), Hon. Bamidele Ologunloluwa has approved the reinstatement of former Sunshine Stars team Manager, Seun Betiku. The board also approved the reinstatement of Sunshine Queens FC Team Manager, and former Sunshine Stars Welfare Officer  , Kehinde Odogun and AbdulRahman Abdulsalam to their former positions. Sunshine Queens Media Officer, Femi Atolagbe also promoted to the Sunshine Stars FC, as the the team's Media Officer. According to the board, "you will still be in charge of Sunshine Queens FC  media." "The engagements take immediate effect," the appointment letters read. Recalled that the duo of Seun Betiku and Kehinde Odogun has earlier redeployed to the Sunshine Stars U-17 team, while Abdulsalam AbdulRahman  disengaged by the immidiate past management of the teams.  Sunshine Stars Media Officer  Femi Atolagbe

In a bid to encourage schools to mix education and sports, a non governmental organization that focuses on promoting sports amongst the younger generation, BLITZIK Sports initiative, in partnership with  Community Sports and Education Development Initiative, CSED, is set to donate sports materials to Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure, Ondo State .  Speaking ahead of the event, the Director of Blitzik sports who is a sports journalist and Analyst, Mr Isaac Afolabi said the move was to further ignite school children to embrace sports not only as a mean of exercise but also as a career. Mr Afolabi who doubles as the Vice-Chairman of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Ondo state chapter, said some of the items to be distributed freely, included new branded football jerseys, new socks and footballs. Afolabi, a journalist with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria Positive FM Akure, said Blitzik Sports expressed the commitment and determination of BLITZIK Sport to continua...