- Safiu Kehinde
The House of Representatives spokesperson, Akin Alabi, have launched a new local football club in Oyo state.
Alabi announced the launching of the new club named after the Oyo capital city, Ibadan United Football Club, in a post shared on his X handle on Friday.
Relishing his passion for football, the lawmaker representing Egbeda/Ona-Ara Federal Constituency disclosed initial reluctance to establish a club in Ibadan.
This, according to him, bore out of his love for the renowned Shooting Stars Sporting Club of Ibadan, popularly known as 3SC and Oluyole Warriors.
Alabi said effort to avoid creating a club that will compete against Shooting Stars led to his initial establishment of a Lagos-based club, Lekki United, which he co-founded with a friend.
“I’ve always loved the game of football. As you all know, I’m a die-hard fan of Shooting Stars, a club I have supported for over 40 years, right from when I was a kid. It’s a club I even sponsored for a few years at one point.
“However, I’ve always wanted to own my own football club. But I didn’t want to have a club in Ibadan that would play against Shooting Stars.
“About five years ago, my friend, Biola Kazeem, and I came up with the idea of establishing one in Lekki, Lagos, where I have a home and where the head office of my businesses is located.
“So, we formed Lekki United and competed in the NLO, the third tier of the Nigerian football league.” He said.
Alabi disclosed that the success of the club which players attracted attention of European scouts prompted his decision to move the establishment to Ibadan for the benefit of members of his constituency.
Hence the rebranding of Lekki United to Ibadan United.
“After about two years, European scouts started noticing some of our players and began approaching us about collaborations which includes taking them abroad.
“That was when it dawned on me. My people in Egbeda/Ona-Ara Federal Constituency, my people in Ibadan, and indeed Oyo State in general, should be the ones benefiting from this opportunity.
“That was when I decided to rebrand the club and move it to Ibadan.” He said.
On concerns over possible clash with the 3SC who also call Ibadan its home, Alabi allayed the concern.
He maintained that the club will rather serve as a pipeline for talent to the Shooting Stars and clubs abroad.
The lawmaker reiterated that Ibadan United was majorly established to help talented footballers in his constituency.
The club, according to him will kick off its campaign at the third tier of Nigerian football, the Nationwide League One (NLO).
“The issue of playing against Shooting Stars should not be a problem. In fact, we can even help Shooting Stars.
“The club can serve as a pipeline for talent to the Oluyole Warriors and to clubs abroad. More importantly, it is a pathway to help talented footballers in my constituency and across Oyo State realise their dreams.
“So, here we are. Ibadan United Football Club is here. We play in the 3rd Tier of Nigerian Football, the NLO We will make history together.” He said.
With the establishment of Ibadan United, Alabi joined list of Nigerian lawmakers to own a football club.
Recall that the late lawmaker, Sen. Ifeanyi Uba started the trend with the creation of the now defunct Ifeanyi Uba Football Club.