Your demise is sad, shocking, Makinde, Oyo SWAN mourn 3SC’s General Manager
Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has described the death of the General Manager of the Shooting Stars Supporters’ Club (3SC), Mr. Rasheed Balogun, as sad and shocking.
He prayed for the repose of the soul of the football chief, who described as hard working and committed, noting that his death would leave a huge vacuum in football management in the state.
A statement by Moses Alao, Special Assistant (Print Media) to Makinde, on Friday, January 21, 2022, quoted the governor as commiserating with the immediate family of the late 3SC GM, management and players of the Oluyole Warriors and the people of Oyo State on the death of Mr. Balogun.
According to the governor, the death of Mr. Balogun came at a time the 3SC needed his experience and expertise the most, having just guided the team to the coveted promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League.
He said: “The news of the death of my brother, Rasheed Balogun, the General Manager of the 3SC, came as a shock. It is sad, but we can only submit to the will of Allah SWT.
“I express my heartfelt condolences to his family, the management and players of the 3SC and all residents of Oyo State and pray to Allah, SWT, to forgive his sins and grant him Aljanah Firdaus.
“Mr. Balogun was a committed administrator and a hard working man. He gave his best to ensure the success of our darling Oluyole Warriors, working hard with our government to navigate the road to its promotion to the NPFL.
“His death at this time means that the 3SC has lost an experienced hand and an individual with huge expertise.
“It is my prayer that God grants us all the fortitude to bear his death.”
Also, Oyo State Chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) described the sudden death of the 3SC General Manager as a disaster for the state and Nigeria as a whole.
In a statement signed by its Chairman and Secretary, Niyi Alebiosu and Adewale Tijani, Oyo SWAN said that Balogun’s death has robbed Nigeria’s football fraternity of an experienced football administrator.
“Balogun’s death is a collosal loss, not only to 3SC, but also to the entire football fraternity in Nigeria. Even we, journalists will miss him sorely. He was our friend, our father and our adviser. Balogun related with us very well and made our works very easy for us. It’s sad we lost him”, Oyo SWAN mourned.
The Association said further that it was sad that Alhaji Balogun died at a time his wealth of experience was needed most by 3SC to weather the stormy waters of Nigerian league presently threatening to drown the recently promoted Oluyole Warriors.
“His death at this time is unfortunate. It’s so painful that we lost Balogun now. He shouldn’t have died now, not at this time when we need him to use his skills and experience to paddle the troubled canoe of 3SC to safety.
“We’re very sad, but who are we to question the Almighty God who gives and takes life? God knows why he left at this time. May God forgive him his shortcomings and grant him eternal rest”, the Association prayed.
Commiserating with the family of the deceased, the Shooting Stars Sports Club players, officials and fans as well as the Oyo State Football Association, the Oyo State Sports Council, the Oyo State Ministry of Youths and Sports and the Nigeria Football Federation over the demise of the ex-Julius Berger, Sunshine Stars and 3SC administrator, Oyo SWAN prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and also supplicated that God should comfort his family and give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss that his death represents to stakeholders.
Balogun died on Thursday, January 20, 2022 after his battle with an ailment since 2021.
The club had released the news of his demise on its Facebook page on Thursday night.
Balogun, who lost his wife some years ago, worked hard to return the club to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
