Segun Showunmi in Ibadan
The General Manager of the Oyo State Government owned football club, 3SC Football Club, Alhaji Rasheed Balogun has been reported dead after spending weeks in bed with a serious battle against sickness which eventually took away his life
Penpushing reports that hte Chairman, Ibadan Football Association, Mr Rotimi Alli broke the news of his death on the club WhatsApp platform, adding that he passed away on Thursday in Ibadan.
“Innalilai wa Innalilai rajiun. We lost 3SC General manager a few minutes ago. May the soul of our beloved Mr Rasheed Balogun rest in peace and may Almighty Allah accept his soul into Aljanah”, he wrote
Penpushing further reports that the deceased was appointed as the General Manager for Shooting Stars Sports Club, in 2014 by the Oyo State government, having worked with Dolphins of Port Harcourt as Team Manager.
The late coach left Sunshine Stars in the same capacity before he was called upon by the state government to help salvage 3SC that got demoted from the top flight the previous season.
Penpushing also reports that the management, coaching crew, staff and players of Kwara United condole with Shooting Stars Football Club of Ibadan over the demise of Balogun.
The demise of Balogun came as a huge shock to all football fraternities in Nigeria who have however been expressing sadness and also sending their condolences to the family of the deceased and the 3SC family.
Penpushing reports that, Kwara United Football Club described Balogun as a great football guru and prayed to God to give his family, friends and associates the fortitude to bear the painful loss.
“We are sad hearing about the death of Shooting Stars’ General Manager Balogun which came as a painful one to us and we pray that God should forgive him and grant him eternal rest”
Penpushing also reports that the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Oyo State Chapter has described the death Balogun as a disaster, not only for 3SC but for Nigerian football in general.
The sports writers in a press release signed by Chairman Niyi Alebiosu and Secretary, Adewale Tijani lamented that the death of Balogun has robbed Nigeria’s football fraternity of an experienced football administrator.
“Balogun’s death is a colossal 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”, the statement said.
The association lamented further that 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.
“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 away the troubled canoe of 3SC to safety’.
“We are 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 Allah forgive him his shortcomings and grant him eternal rest”.
Penpushing further reports that the sports writers while commiserating with the club management 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 us.
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