Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State yesterday unveiled the coach of the 3SC Football Club of Ibadan with a pledge that the club would never be allowed to suffer relegation again.
The new coach, Allen Andrew Festus, an indigene of River State, had been at various times Assistant Coach, Chief Coach and Technical Adviser for the New Star Football Club of Ilorin, Ranchers Bees of Kaduna and Bukola Babes Football Club of Ilorin before his new appointment.
He is expected to use his wealth of experience to salvage the club and bring back its lost glory.
The governor, while performing the unveiling ceremony in his office, also said that he had been in touch with other governors in the South-West on the need for the zone to support 3SC.
“Whether we like it or not, 3SC is a club of the whole of South-West and we must allow it to remain so,’’ he said.
Sen. Ajimobi, who also handed over a brand new Renault car to the coach, expressed satisfaction with his profile, saying he had the cognate experience required for the job.
He expressed the hope that being an achiever and a master of the game, Festus would be able to impact positively on the club.
“3SC is our darling club, but it is unfortunate that the club has been allowed to deteriorate. Even the entire state had been at the brink of precipice. We must transform the club. We must bring it back to our own standard. Never again will we allow it to suffer relegation.
“We will provide all the necessary logistics, that is, funding and facilities for the club. And as our coach, you will get our support if you perform well. Try and give your best to the club, and you will be adequately rewarded,’’ the governor said.
The state Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Dapo Lam-Adesina, in his remarks, thanked Gov. Ajimobi for his support not only to the club, but also to his ministry.
“What we met on ground was a terrible situation. The club had been drowned in the pool of relegation, but we thank the governor who has been of tremendous support,’’ he said.