Ex-Nigeria international, Segun Odegbami, has advocated for the return of Obafemi Awolowo Stadium (formerly Liberty Stadium) to Oyo State Government to enhance its revenue generation.
He made the call on Wednesday during the Best Ogedengbe Memorial Lecture held at Government College Hall in Ibadan.
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The event was organised by Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Oyo State Chapter in conjunction with Best Ogedegbe family.
The late Ogedengbe manned the goal post for Nigeria’s senior national soccer team, then known as the Green Eagles when they won the African Cup of Nations for the first time in 1980.
The legendary goalkeeper died on September 28, 2009, at the age of 55, following an eye surgery which made him fell into coma.
Odegbami called on Governor Seyi Makinde to secure the return of Obafemi Awolowo Stadium to Oyo State Government towards converting it into the home of the biggest football club in Africa.
“Let the stadium be converted into the home of the biggest football club in Africa at a time. The club that represents the movement of the Yoruba people that is located in Ibadan which is called Shooting Stars, not 3SC then.
“Name the stadium Shooting Stars International Stadium. Let that stadium generate revenue and social engagement. Let the club become the best football club in Africa,” he said.
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Odegbami, who decried the degradation in the sports sector, said the need to get the right people who have experience and qualification to take charge of the sector.
The ex-international also begged Mr Makinde to transform local club, Shooting Stars, into a formidable team.
