Despite surviving the relegation battle, Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan were on Tuesday disbanded by the Oyo State Government, with players, coaches and administrative staff losing their jobs. Their sister Club Crown of Ogbomoso suffered the same fate. Crown who were also in the Premier league were relegated at the close of the season.The 3SCs former general manager, Mutiu Adepoju, said that he was informed by the clubs administrative secretary.He said that the commissioner of sports directed him to let the players and officials know that the club has been disbanded, Adepoju said.The clubs administrative secretary, Demola Alabi, told THE PUNCH on the telephone that the objective of the action was to reposition the club for a better future.He said, The action was taken by Executive Council of the state. We have all watched the clubs status taking a plunge in the past years. If we fail to address the problem today, the club will always struggle in the league. We want to return to winning ways; this is a club that won the first club trophy for Nigeria. Many of those that were asked to go have no contract with the club because their contracts expired at the end of last season.With the club buried in debts of more than N150m, the state government faces the challenge of paying the players and coaches that are owed over the years. Alabi said that the situation was considered before the club was disbanded; adding that part of the further actions to be taken was to ensure that the club is free from debt burden.I have met with the commissioner for youth and sports (Dapo Lam-Adesina) and what we are looking into at the moment is how the debt will be paid.On the challenge of assembling a new club before the new season starts in January, Alabi said there was plan to bring in new players, giving hope also to some of the sacked players and coaches for a return.He said, Before the arrival at the disbandment option, we had already looked into the issue of forming a strong team and management structure to run the club. There will be no vacuum and the club will return stronger next season. The club struggled last year but still survived despite the odds. It means that some of the players are good and we shall surely retain them.One of the sacked officials said the announcement was not expected.The administrative manager and the account officer met the commissioner on Monday to discuss preparation for the new season. We knew that some of the players would go and we also expected changes in the technical department. They were asked to go with the promise that a decision would be reached this week. It was a shock to hear that we have to go.
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