By The General Manager of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), a Nigeria Professional Football League side, Alhaji Rasheed Balogun has died.
Balogun breathed his last on Thursday night after a long battle with a proctacted illness. He was aged 62.
Confirming the development in a statement, the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Oyo State Chapter described his death as a disaster, not only for 3SC but for Nigerian football in general.
The statement signed by the Association’s Chairman, Niyi Alebiosu and Secretary, Adewale Tijani, stated that the passing of Balogun 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 said.
The Association further lamented that Alhaji Balogun died at a time his wealth of experience is needed most by 3SC to weather the stormy water of Nigerian league presently threatening to drown the recently promoted Oluyole Warriors.
While commiserating with 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, his death represents to stakeholders.
