By Taofeek Lawal
Still basking in the euphoria of seeing their darling team Atiba United playing in the Nigeria National League (NNL) come next soccer season, football fans in the ancient Oyo town have demanded a take-over of the team by the state government. The entrant to the NNL, Atiba United which was established and financed by the caretaker Chairman of Atiba Local Government, Prince Akeem Adeyemi secured the ticket after they finished top of the ‘B’ group of Nigerian Nationwide League.
Adeyemi while addressing newsmen in Oyo said the sole desire of the teeming soccer fans in Oyo before the Senator Ajimobi-led government in the state is to adopt the darling team Atiba United that just gained promotion to the bigger platform just as the government did to Crown FC of Ogbomoso.
“Oyo people are big follower of Nigerian football and that was part of the reasons we established Atiba United, and the fans never failed to give the team their support and loyalty as they always filled up the 8,000 capacity Durbar Stadium Oyo each time the team is playing at home. But I must tell you that the budget of a local government cannot accommodate that of the club again and that was why the fans are clamouring for the taking over of the club just as it did to Crown FC of Ogbomoso so that they can continue to watch their darling team playing against bigger opponents”, the council boss noted.
He however, gave kudos to the Head of Local Government Administration in the council, Chief James Odeniran, a retired FIFA referee and the coach of the team, Kabir Adedokun for the tremendous role they played in the success story of the team.
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