Image caption: Soun with Sunday Dare unveil jerseys for home (black) and away matches
Black Scorpion FC, Basket/ball team debut in Ogbomoso, Soun, ex-int’l Dimeji Lawal laud Sunday Dare
Femi OGUNLANA
History was made in Ogbomoso, Oyo state, Tuesday, as a football club, styled “Black Scorpion” Football Club, founded by immediate past Minister for Youths and Sports Development, Chief Sunday Dare, the Agbaakin of Ogbomosoland, was inaugurated.
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The Soun of Ogbomosoland His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III, performed the unveiling ceremony alongside that of a Basketball Ball team – Ogbomoso Rocket – also founded by Dare, at Ogunlola Hall, Oja’gbo.
Many football administrators and enthusiasts attended the epoch-making event including former Nigeria’s international, Dimeji Lawal, Sir Prince Oladimeji Ladi Thompson, Dr. Niran Oyekale, representatives of Oyo state Football Federation among others.
Unveiling the club, nicknamed “The Stingers,” the Soun commended the proprietor, Dare, charging the management, technical crew and players to work hard and with commitment to ensure the club performs at the highest level.
“For coming up with this idea l am impressed, and to be able to bring it to fruition, it is dream come true. I am happy for him,” the Soun began.
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“He thought of the concept and it became a reality, he could have put it in another city where it will be more profitable but he brought it to his hometown.”
Charging the players, the monarch said, “The Agbaakin has done his own, it is left for you to do well and so, do your best, that way you will reap the benefits. Be consistent in your performance, please, let’s play well. If you play well (as requested by the Agbaakin), l will be happy to watch your matches but if otherwise l won’t, l don’t like to identify with failure.
“Let the owner, the management, the coaches, let them be proud of you. Many people have never got to see Barcelona, Real Madrid and so on play live but because of their excellent performances, they are supported throughout the world. We want you to uplift this town so that people can come from Ibadan, Ilorin and Iseyin to come and watch you. I know Dimeji Lawal is here, but excel more than the Shooting Stars of Ibadan, (where he is General Manager).”
The Oba urged the coaching crew to eschew favouritism and bribery but to build the team on the plank of talents. “Football is a game of talents, it shouldn’t be on the basis of whom you know. The management, the coaches, do your best, make sure this thing does not die. Let’s begin to hear the name of Black Scorpion all over the nation. Where you are going is far, be professional in your conduct.”
His Majesty also urged the Basketball team players to live up to their name, “A rocket goes upward, so you must be upwardly bound. Put mind to it, be professional and let’s begin to hear the name Ogbomoso Rocket all over. You can also become stars like Akeem Olajuwon and others, who hailed from Nigeria.”
Sunday Dare in his remark stated he was inspired to found the club to help “these young stars” raise their game and have a chance to play for Nigeria’s national teams.
“How many of our stars get to play in our national teams? We have to change the narrative, that is the reason l founded the club,” he said.
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Disclosing he named the club Black Scorpion as a mark of honour for the late Nigeria’s Civil War hero, Brigadier Benjamin Adekunle, who earned the nickname “Black Scorpion,” due to his matchless prowess during the war, Dare submitted, “I hope these young ones will shine so well they will be scouted to play for Nigeria, and in Europe where professional football is played and around the world. And eventually they will give back to the community, to their family and themselves. We will invest in them,” while promising to always provide buses to supporters to watch the team’s away matches when the amateur league begins.
He informed the staff of the club were all chosen based on merit expressing confidence they would do well.
General Manager of the club, Hon Debo Awogbade, promised the team would give its best and soon compete at the highest level, calling on all stakeholders to support the dream with utmost dedication and performance.
Dimeji Lawal, currently the General Manager of 3SC Ibadan, remarked, “This is what we have been waiting for, for several years.
“Football is not an easy investment, it is a big project that requires heavy financial commitment. So, l want to appreciate Chief Sunday Dare. We know what this means for Ogbomoso, we know what it means for Oyo state and for Nigeria.
“A football club contributes a lot, it has positive effects, it helps to remove negative vices especially among the youths,” encoraging all involved to ensure the club thrives.
Prince Ladi Thompson the Pillar of Sports in Kwara state and who is immediate past General Manager of Kwara United, also said, “We commend Chief Sunday Dare for giving back to the society. A football club helps to take negative vices from the street,” while urging the players to be hardworking. “You can become great in football. Let us be praying for Chief Sunday Dare. Let us encourage him to lift Ogbomoso up.”
Dr. Niran Oyekale, a board member of the club assured, “We will make sure to put in everything to ensure the venture succeeds.”
Meanwhile, the club this weekend will take part in a pre-season tournament and a week after, begin campaign in the Nigeria League I (former amateur league) alongside Ogbomoso Utd, 3SC team B and others to seek promotion to the Professional League.
The Basketball team the Ogbomoso Rocket, was founded in February 2023.
Coach of the team, Adegboyega Isaiah, informed Ogbomoso Insight the team comprising mainly students of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, consists of a 38 member strong male team and 16 member female team.
Coach Isaiah enthusing the teams have been well groomed disclosed they would participate in the forthcoming State Qualifiers.
