The President of Sunshine Stars Football Club, Divine Ogbonaya, has disclosed that the sterling performance of the Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA) board is beginning to yield positive results.
Mr Ogbonaya stated this while speaking at the signing of a sponsorship agreement between Sunshine Stars and Sunbeth in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
He described the sponsorship deal, facilitated by Solution Check, as a dream come true and a morale booster, noting that it would go a long way towards motivating the players and club officials.
The Sunshine Stars president appealed to the sponsor to extend the partnership to other teams under the management of the agency.
“We still have female teams, Sunshine Queens, Sunshine U19, Sunshine U17 and U15,” he said.
Mr Ogbonaya also solicited greater support for Sunshine Stars as they prepare to host Remo Stars in their second match of the Nigeria National League (NNL) campaign.
According to him, “It is how you put your house in order that will attract outsiders to come and take an interest in it.”
He attributed the club’s recent progress to the foundation laid by the ODSFA board less than a year ago, adding that two players developed under its watch had represented Nigeria at the FIFA U20 World Cup.
“The foundation we laid less than a year ago is beginning to yield results. Within a short period in office, we have been able to produce two players who have represented Nigeria at the U20 World Cup,” he said.
“If you visit the Game Village in Oda, you will ask: ‘Are you sure this is Ondo State?’ We are laying a very solid foundation in line with the directive of our Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa. There are still better things to come, and we will continue to work hard.”
He assured the players and officials that the management would sustain its commitment to their welfare.
“We will continue to motivate the players and officials by paying their winning bonuses and salaries regularly,” he added.
Meanwhile, Sunbeth’s Head of Warehouse Operations and Compliance, Adebayo Kupoluyi, said the organisation was interested in partnering with Sunshine Stars as part of its commitment to investing in local businesses and communities.
He explained that the partnership was driven by the company’s desire to create value for the people, noting that football was an effective platform for connecting communities.
“Our core objective is to create value for our people. We chose football because we believe it connects every member of the community,” Kupoluyi said.
“Football is fun, but at the same time, it is an investment for both the investor and the community.”
In his welcome address, the facilitator and representative of Solution Check, Adedeji Adegbenro, congratulated Sunshine Stars and Sunbeth on what he described as a milestone sponsorship agreement, expressing confidence that both parties would derive value from the partnership.
Adegbenro also highlighted the important role of the media in the partnership, urging journalists to report professionally and objectively while giving attention to positive developments.
“While the media are expected to do their jobs professionally by reporting facts, we urge them to also see the positive side of what we are doing,” he said.
“We appeal to our hardworking journalists to promote Sunshine Stars positively as they begin their 2026/27 NNL campaign.”
He acknowledged that the club’s current position was below its traditional status, but expressed confidence that collective support would help it return to the top flight.
“This is not where Sunshine Stars are supposed to be playing, but with the support of all and sundry, Sunshine Stars FC will return to the elite league, where they truly belong,” he said