OYO State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr Dapo Lam-Adesina, has appealed to the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) to send an emissary to Ibadan in due course, in order to ascertain the condition of the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, which serves as the home ground of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) this season.This came against the NPL's directive to 3SC that it should look for another stadium for its home games on the premise that the Awolowo Stadium turf was not media friendly.''You can all see the state of this stadium, this pitch is okay. Yes, we might have had challenges when we hosted Rising Stars but after that game, we have done a lot of work to ensure this pitch is in good condition and we will continue to make it so. ''In fact, the state government has spent a lot of money to get this pitch in proper shape and I think, it is far better than many other pitches being used to host league matches across the country,'' Dapo told sports journalists during an inspection visit of the stadium.He also assured that 3SCwould soon return to the Lekan Salami Stadium.''The work on the Lekan Salami Stadium would be completed by end of February and this would give us the opportunity to return to our base. "All we want is fair play. I want the NPL to see this stadium first before taking any decision. The development of football is our concern and I believe NPL is equally interested in the growth of clubs as well,'' Dapo added.Meanwhile,THE National Sports Commission, (NSC), Zone One, Ibadan is adding touches to the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium to regain its Olympic-approved status.Tribunesports recalls that the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) has threatened to stop the Shooting Stars Sports Club from using the Awo Stadium for its League home games.According to Secretary, NPL, Tunji Babalola what was seen of the stadium during a League match between the Shooting Stars and Rising Stars of Akure was an embarrass-ment to the country's league.However, Co-ordinator of the zone, Mr Steve Olarinoye believes the situation is redeemable.''The pitch suffered that condition because of the recent nationwide strike,'' he told Tribunesports.''Our workers who tend to the pitch could not find the means to get to the stadium to wet the pitch. I served as the Secretary of the pro-League, so I know what a television-friendly pitch and stadium should look alike.We now have enough water tankers to regrass and colour the pitch. I assure that the Shooting Stars will remain at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium and the NPL will marvel at the transformation,'' he said.
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